Truck driver arrested on homicide charges after blaming sun glare for fatal crash at intersection

A truck driver was arrested on homicide charges this week after blaming a bad sun glare for a fatal crash at an intersection last spring. 

23-year-old truck driver, Issac D. Stemple was arrested on homicide charges and subsequently freed on $100,000 bail this week for a March 2025 wreck that killed one in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 

According to Trib Live, 60-year-old Rene Davis was driving a school district van when she stopped at a red light at the intersection of Route 819 and Route 22. When the light turned green, Davis and an SUV driven by a 17-year-old student proceeded through the intersection, but were quickly struck by an eastbound tractor trailer hauling lumber. 

The 17-year-old student was injured in the accident and transported to a hospital in stable condition. Davis was killed in the accident. Stemple was not hurt in the crash. 

During the investigation, Stemple told officers that he was driving against a serious sun glare as he approached the intersection, obscuring his vision and prompting him to reach for his sunglasses. 

“He had his head down to keep the sun out of his eyes as he reached up for his sunglasses, he looked up and saw the light,” Trooper Matthew D. Stercho wrote in the complaint. “He could not see what color it was and, before he knew it, there was [sic.] two cars in front of him. Stemple continued he is unfamiliar with this area and is unfamiliar with the road and traffic lights.”

An investigation has since revealed that the sun glare would have been somewhat centered behind the traffic lights, allowing Stemple to see at least one of the red lights. Additionally, Stemple was found to have been traveling between 51 and 56 mph in a 45 mph zone. One “red signal ahead” sign was posted about 1,000 feet ahead of the intersection. 

“The collision is the result of Isaac Stemple failing to stop at a steady red signal and entering the intersection while traffic was crossing,” the report states.

Stemple is charged with homicide by vehicle, two counts of reckless endangerment and 10 summary offenses, for failing to stop at the red light, speeding and related to conditions of the tractor-trailer. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 2nd.