Jurors hear recordings of accused Pennsylvania police officer admitting to causing fatal fire accident

WELLSBORO – A suspended police officer facing manslaughter charges in Tioga County admitted during questioning that he began passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone because he did not see any vehicle coming.

Before Police Officer Michael J. Brown could pass the pass on Route 6 east of Mansfield on February 11, 2023, his personal vehicle collided with Christine E. Woodward’s vehicle.

On the second day of his trial, the district court jury heard a description of the fire accident in Brown’s own words.

Prosecutors, whose case is expected to rest on Thursday, played recordings of two interviews with Brown by state police and heard him emotionally calling 911 and the Mansfield barracks.

The first 911 call, prompted by the crash of his Jeep Grand Cherokee, came at 10:45 p.m. Brown, 36, who lives in Troy, was on his way to work, where he had an 11 p.m. shift.

The following is what Brown told now-retired lead investigator Cpl. Jeffrey Vilello in two interviews:

He began passing after rounding a curve in a no-passing zone on two-lane Route 6 because “I thought the passing zone was clear.”

He felt like he could see the entire overtaking zone, but did not notice that this was not the case due to a dip in the road.

He was about to overtake a vehicle driven by Benjamin Dewalt when, according to his own statement, he suddenly saw the headlights of Woodward’s approaching car.

He slammed on the brakes and was only able to pull over to the left because Dewalt slowed down and he could no longer get into his lane.

Woodward turned right and the two vehicles collided, causing her vehicle to burst into flames.

Brown described his unsuccessful attempts to open the doors of Woodward’s burning car and heard her say, “Get me out.”

He was looking for a rock to break a window with and asked Dewalt, who had stopped, if he had anything useful.

An autopsy found that Woodward, 47, died from thermal injuries rather than as a result of the crash. Jurors were shown several pictures of the destroyed, burned-out vehicles.

The identity of the Troy-based teacher and mother of three was determined based on her car’s license plate, Vilello said.

There was no video or audio of Brown at the scene because the first police officer to arrive turned off his camera, Vilello said. Brown, who has been a police officer since 2018, was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Brown told Vilello that it usually took him about 25 minutes to get to work, driving 45 to 50 miles per hour. His car’s data showed he was doing 58 miles per hour when he started passing.

The accident occurred in the area where Ritz and Aurnick Roads intersect Route 6.

During his interviews, Vilello questioned Brown extensively about his knowledge of this stretch of highway, as he had driven there for work for about 18 months.

On Route 6 westbound, drivers are not allowed to cross the road until about 3 miles after the intersection with Ritz and Aurnick roads.

Anyone attempting to pass beforehand will not be able to see a vehicle traveling east due to a dip, state police concluded. The speed limit in this area is 55.

Accident reconstructionist and State Police Corporal Gary Beadle testified his analysis of the accident at the beginning of the trial.

By order of the court, he was not allowed to give his opinion, as he had done at the preliminary hearing, when he said Brown had not acted recklessly or with gross negligence, which are essential elements of the charge of vehicular manslaughter.

In addition to negligent homicide, Brown is accused of several traffic violations. He is free on $50,000 bail.

Vilello will be back on the stand Thursday when the trial resumes. The defense will call witnesses after the prosecution finishes its evidence, said Brown’s attorney, Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.