A West Newton man is accused of intentionally striking a motorcyclist with a pickup truck after investigators linked surveillance video, cell phone data and contentious text messages to a fatal crash that claimed the rider’s life, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, PA — A West Newton man has been charged with criminal homicide after investigators alleged he deliberately struck a motorcyclist with a pickup truck following an exchange of contentious text messages.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers responded to Lowber Road on Thursday, July 16, after a passing motorist discovered a heavily damaged motorcycle in the roadway with its operator unresponsive.
The rider, later identified as Roy Holliday, was transported to Forbes Hospital. Police said Holliday died from his injuries early Friday.
Investigators canvassed the area for surveillance footage and recovered video from a nearby residence that showed a motorcycle traveling east on Lowber Road with a champagne-colored crew cab pickup truck following closely behind.
A second surveillance camera from a nearby business allegedly captured the truck striking the motorcycle before both vehicles left the camera’s view, according to state police.
Later Friday, Holliday’s girlfriend contacted investigators and reported that the champagne-colored pickup truck seen in the surveillance footage was registered to her but had been left at the residence of her ex-husband, Ryan Thompson.
Police said the woman also told investigators that Holliday and Thompson exchanged contentious text messages on the day of the crash.
According to investigators, cell phone location data placed both Holliday and Thompson near the crash scene at the time of the collision. Police allege Thompson disconnected his cellphone minutes later.
Troopers located the pickup truck at Thompson’s residence and reported observing fresh damage to the front bumper.
Police said Thompson admitted exchanging text messages with Holliday that day and told investigators he believed he heard Holliday revving his motorcycle outside his residence.
Thompson has been charged with criminal homicide, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person.
Court records indicate Thompson was denied bail.
The charges are allegations, and Thompson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Points
- A West Newton man is charged with criminal homicide in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash in Sewickley Township.
- State police said surveillance video, cell phone data and text messages linked the suspect to the collision.
- The motorcyclist, Roy Holliday, died after being transported to a hospital, and the defendant was denied bail.
