A driver accused of causing a fatal crash with a motorcycle saw the most serious charges against her upheld by a Lehigh County judge on Friday.
Jaynelle Troxell, of Lancaster County, is accused of making an illegal left-hand turn May 27 near Dorney Park, hitting a motorcycle that was traveling eastbound on Hamilton Boulevard.
Jaynelle Troxell, in the far back wearing the black skirt suit, is facing homicide and related charges stemming from a fatal motorcycle crash near Dorney Park. (Sarah Cassi | lehighvalleylive.com)
The motorcycle driver, 42-year-old Jesus Fred of Allentown, was killed and his passenger, Sarai Rivera Melendez, was seriously injured and hospitalized.
Following a preliminary hearing last year, District Judge Jacob Hammond dismissed the most serious charges against Troxell: homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and aggravated assault by vehicle.
The district judge said prosecutors showed no evidence that Troxell’s turn was gross negligence, a requirement for some of the charges.
Homicide charges dismissed in deadly motorcycle crash
Prosecutors refiled the charges and, following a preliminary hearing on Friday, Judge Kelly Banach sent all the charges to county court for possible trial.
Police testified Troxell was driving home from work at the Allentown Farmer’s Market to her home in Lancaster, when she saw she needed gas.
Although multiple signs say left turns are not allowed and drivers are required to use a jug handle, Troxell made a left turn in a Dodge Caravan from westbound Hamilton Boulevard (Route 222) heading onto Lincoln Avenue, police said.
There is a Speedway gas station at the corner of the intersection.
Fred died from multiple blunt-force trauma to the torso and head. Melendez, who was thrown from the motorcycle, suffered a subcranial brain bleed, numerous broken ribs, damage to her spinal cord and vertebrae in her neck and a broken leg, police testified.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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