Scranton, PA – A Long Pond man convicted of a 2014 vehicular
homicide, but who fled to avoid a trial, was arrested Wednesday in
Durango, Mexico, by Mexican authorities, with the assistance of the U.S.
Marshals Service Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force and
the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Kirk Randler was extradited
today to Houston, Texas, and will be brought back to Monroe County.
On June 20, 2014, a motor vehicle accident occurred on Route 611 in
Mount Pocono that left one person deceased and five others severely
injured. A vehicle driven by Randler illegally passed one vehicle and
eventually lost control, making head-on contact with another vehicle in
the southbound lane as Randler was traveling northbound. The impact
ejected four individuals from Randler’s vehicle, including Randler’s
girlfriend, Katrina Strausser, of Reeders. Strausser was transported to
the Geisinger Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries.
On August 5, 2014, Randler was charged with homicide by vehicle and
several related offences. Subsequently, after posting a secured bond for
his release, Randler failed to appear for his trial in March of 2016. A
bench warrant was issued for Randler’s arrest and the U.S. Marshals
Service fugitive task force was asked to assist in the location and
apprehension of Randler.
Randler was tried and found guilty in
absentia and on September 13, 2016, Judge Stephen M. Higgins of Monroe
County sentenced Randler to 11 ½ to 23 years in state prison. Additional
details from this case can be found here.
Wednesday, with
information received by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and provided
to the Marshals task force, Randler was located and arrested by Mexican
authorities in Durango.
“The Marshals Service and its fugitive
task force have the responsibility to ensure that those who flee are
brought to justice,” said U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Martin
J. Pane. “Working with our local and international partners we have
ensured just that. It is my sincere hope that this apprehension brings
some measure of comfort to the victim’s and their families.”
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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