Credit: Submitted
A Trenton man was charged Friday with homicide by vehicle while DUI following a fatal crash on I-95 in Bristol Township.
Arthur A. Lewis, 23, is charged with the early Friday morning death of Javairia M. Mahmood, 22, of Trenton. The fatal crash happened near the Bristol exit on I-95 northbound.
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Lewis fled Pennsylvania State Police around 12:35 a.m. as they tried to pull his Acura over to for speeding at 94 mph in a 55 mph work zone near the Street Road exit in Bensalem shortly before the crash. Inside his Acura were three passengers, including Mahmood.
After state police activated their emergency lights and siren, the Acura pulled onto the shoulder to slow down. Without ever stopping, the Acura zoomed off and passed several vehicles before turning off its lights. The next time the troopers saw the vehicle, it was overturned and mangled after striking a concrete barrier, according to court papers filed by troopers Lee Nolan and Gerard Gronski.
In court papers, a trooper stated they had to travel 115 mph to keep up with Lewis. At points in their brief pursuit, state police had trouble keeping up with the Acura and stayed up to a half mile behind.
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A statement from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said suspected illegal drugs were found in and near the wreck Acura. In addition, troopers reported finding a bag of suspected marijuana on the ground outside the car and a bag of suspected cocaine inside the vehicle.
Medics assisting Lewis cut off his jacket and found three bundles of what appeared to be heroin, state police said.
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“Lewis’ demeanor was described by police as slow and lethargic, and his eyes were bloodshot, the affidavit said, but he refused to submit to a chemical test of his blood,” prosecutors said.
Rescue workers and troopers found Mahmood dead seated with her belt on in the passenger seat. In the rear of the Acura, a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were found in the back seat, one unresponsive.
The 19 year old and the 16 year old survived the crash and were taken to separate hospitals for their injuries, state police said. Troopers told LevittownNow.com that the two suffered “moderate injuries.”
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Lewis was taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, where he was arraigned bedside by District Judge Joseph Falcone, who ordered him held without bail. Troopers will guard Lewis until he can be moved to the Bucks County prison in Doylestown.
Trooper said in court documents that Lewis’ licence was suspected or revoked as of Friday morning.
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Langhorne Borough police Chief Steve Mawhinney, a member of the district attorney’s homicide by vehicle task force and a highly recognized accident investigation expert, was called to the crash scene to gather evidence.
The wreck closed a portion of I-95 until around 7 a.m.
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Lewis also faces charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, DUI, fleeing or eluding an officer and drug-related offenses.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
