A Bensalem man who police say struck and killed a man on Christmas Eve in the Croydon section of Bristol Township and fled the scene was held over for trial Wednesday.
Kevin Baker who turned himself in to authorities after being indicted by a Bucks County Grand Jury will now face trial in Doylestown.
Baker struck John Dugan, 65, of Bristol Township as he crossed State Road in Bristol Township on his way to go to a Christmas party.
Dugan died while he was transported to the hospital, according to police.
The investigation found that Dugan fell on the street and was run over by a truck driven by Baker. The Bucks County 20th Investigating Grand Jury heard testimony from several witnesses, including Bristol Township Police Officer Kenneth Margerum, the lead investigator in the crash, in reaching the recommendation to charge Baker.
Dugan’s fiance, Christina Mazzatenta told police they were crossing State Road when he fell on the road, likely caused by a medical condition that causes his legs and feet to give out. The woman told police she tried to help Dugan up, but a truck “passed me real fast and hit John,”
Days after the hit-and-run an out cry by the family seeking witnesses to the crash led to an aggressive search to locate the striking vehicle, a red Chevrolet Silverado and video footage.
Baker was seen driving on State Road seconds before the accident. And was captured on video from a neighbors camera trying to hide the damage to the red silverado.
Baker’s father turned him into authorities after seeing all of the local media coverage of the hit and run killing.
District Court Judge Frank W. Peranteau Sr ruled the state had met its burden in the hearing and now Baker will be formally arraigned in Doylestown on August 12.
In conversations with member’s of Dugan’s family after the hearing they once expressed relief about the outcome of the hearing, but their grief and anger remain palpable.
