CASE UPDATE: Pa. State Trooper who Caused Fatal Vehicle Crash Sentenced to Prison Term

October 4, 2024 | Topic: Criminal

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Pennsylvania State Trooper previously convicted of vehicular homicide for causing a fatal crash last year was sentenced to six months to 23 months in prison.

Michael J. Brown was sentenced Friday in Tioga County Court and will report to prison on November 1. He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and more than $4,000 in restitution towards funeral expenses.

Brown, 36, was off-duty and driving on Route 6 in Sullivan Township to his State Police barracks last year when he attempted to pass a car in front of him. Brown’s Jeep crossed double yellow lines and struck an oncoming vehicle that was ascending a rise on the roadway. The collision killed the driver of that vehicle, 47-year-old Christine Woodward.

“No one is above the law, including those sworn to uphold it,” Attorney General Henry said. “The defendant’s reckless actions led to the tragic death of a devoted mother and teacher.  Nothing can bring her back to those who so dearly loved her. This case should  serve as a wake-up call for drivers who put others’ lives at risk for the sake of shaving a few seconds or minutes off their commute.”

A jury convicted Brown in May of homicide by vehicle. After the verdict, the judge found Brown guilty of three summary traffic violations.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Phillips, Deputy Attorney General Philip McCarthy, and Senior Deputy Attorney General Tracy Piatkowski.

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