Woman on Prescription Drugs in Mower Accident, Victim in Bad Condition

The following press release and photo comes from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office:

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Chief William J. Albany announce the arrest of Megan Marie Rossi, [24, of Limerick] for Aggravated Assault By Vehicle While Under the Influence and related charges. Rossi['s] charges stem from her operation of a vehicle on a roadway in a reckless and careless manner while under the influence of a controlled substance, which rendered her incapable of safe operation of a motor vehicle. The defendant drove through a fence and into the yard of a Schwenksville man, who was mowing his lawn. The incident has left the victim in extremely serious medical condition and he remains in a Philadelphia hospital where he is only able to communicate by blinking his eyes.

On Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 at approximately 12:24 p.m., Limerick Township Police Department to 78 Laver Rd., in the Schwenksville section of Limerick Township for a report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival the police found the victim lying in a flower bed off the roadway at 78 Laver Rd. Officers also observed a 2005 Buick Rendezvous stopped off the roadway east of the driveway to 78 Laver Rd. with front right side and windshield damage. The driver of the Buick was Rossi of Tristen Way in Schwenksville. Police also observed that the Pennsylvania State Inspection on the vehicle had expired 9/11.

The crash investigation determined that Rossi was operating a 2005 Buick Rendezvous eastbound on Laver Road approaching the driveway to 78 Laver Rd. The Rossi vehicle went off the right side of the roadway and onto a grass lawn section of [the property]. The vehicle then stuck a section of split rail fence [and] knocked down several sections of fence and proceeded through the fence line onto the lawn.

At this point the passenger side front of the vehicle struck a lawn mower being operated by the victim, who had been mowing his lawn inside the split rail fence. The impact between the vehicle and lawn mower caused the victim to be ejected from the lawn mower onto the hood and windshield area of the vehicle. The vehicle continued across the lawn area coming to stop after entering into a flower bed next to the driveway. At this point the victim was ejected from the vehicle into the flower bed. Ms. Rossi then backed her vehicle off the lawn and back onto the roadway and drove past the driveway of 78 Laver Rd. before stopping.

Police took blood from the victim, which was analyzed by a Forensic Toxicologist from National Medical Services. The chemical test determined that Rossi had 45 ng/mL of Nordiazepam, 26 ng/mL of Oxazepam, 9.3 ng/mL of Clonazepam, 62 ng /mL of Alprazplam, 10 ng/mL of Oxycodone and 17 ng/mL of 7-Amino Clonazepam. Based upon the concentration of controlled substances in Rossi’s blood, the toxicologist issued a report that states, in part, “[t]his would cause her impaired to and beyond the point of rendering this individual unfit to operate a motor vehicle safely.”

It also appears that the defendant was using her cell phone at the time of the crash. On Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, Limerick Detectives received the AT&T cell phone records for the cell phone which was in the possession of Rossi at the time of the crash. A review of these records indicates that at the time of the crash and while Rossi was proceeding eastbound on Laver Road the cell phone was in use. Rossi was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash.   

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said that “this case is another tragic example of a person turning their car into a weapon by getting behind the wheel after using prescription drugs. Rossi’s actions have left a man who was just out mowing his lawn, hospitalized and only able to communicate by blinking his eyes.”

The defendant was arraigned this morning before Magisterial District Judge Walter F. Gadzicki, Jr. and bail was set at $25,000.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. Driving has been restricted through conditions of the bail.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jordan Friter.