Roegester Grays
The Twin Tiers community should breathe a collective sigh of relief knowing that a very dangerous driver is finally behind bars.
The Lawrenceville, Pa., man who was involved in a head-on crash that killed a young married couple who were traveling with their three young children has been charged with DUI Homicide and many other charges in the March 1 crash in Bradford County.
Read the Star-Gazette story here.
State police in Towanda said Roegester Grays, 45, is facing the following charges:
- Two counts of Aggravated Assault.
- Two counts of Homicide by Vehicle with DUI.
- Two counts of Aggravated Assault by Vehicle with DUI.
- Two counts of Homicide by Vehicle.
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- Traffic Violations.
State police said Grays, driving a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, crossed the center line on state Route 328 in Wells Township, near the New York-Pennsylvania border, and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Ryan English, 35. Ryan and his wife, Karen, 32, were killed in the head-on crash and their three children were injured.
Although Mr. Grays’ arrest will not bring Karen and Ryan back, it helps ease their family’s pain to know he will not be able to harm anyone else right now.
The English family had recently moved from Chemung County to the Williamsport area and were returning home to visit relatives when the accident occurred.
Grays has a history of convictions for alcohol-related driving offenses in New York and Pennsylvania. Most recently, he was indicted In April by a Chemung County grand jury on two felony counts of Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol and one count each of first-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
In May, a tip line was established to assist the Pennsylvania State Police with their investigation into the crash. Our law firm is representing the estate of Karen English along with the three children.
The help we received from the community through the tip line was invaluable. We were able to take statements from numerous eyewitnesses to the crash who had not been previously identified, and we immediately shared all of that information with law enforcement in Towanda. We received many tips about Mr. Grays’ whereabouts in the hours before the crash as well. People were eager to share what they knew.
Ryan and Karen’s three sons are doing remarkably well, given all they have been through. They are all attending school in Chemung County and have recovered greatly from their physical injuries. The emotional healing will take a bit longer, but they are blessed to have the support of family and friends here and in the Williamsport area.
The community support for these three boys has been amazing. The willingness to donate money, share information and help in any way possible reminds us that we are all fortunate to live in a place that truly takes care of its own.
Although the tip line has been suspended, anyone with any information to share about the crash or Grays’ whereabouts on the day of the crash is urged to call me at the Ziff Law Firm (607-733-8866), where there is a 24-hour answer service.
Thank you for reading,
Christina Sonsire
csonsire@zifflaw.com
