Mixed Verdict for Driver in Fatal Crash
By Hayden Mitman, Staff Writer
John Harvie was found guilty of lesser charges but acquitted of the most serious charge of homicide by vehicle while DUI.
A 46-year-old Bristol Township man on Wednesday was convicted of vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and recklessly endangering another person for causing the death of his childhood friend in a crash.
A Bucks County jury of six men and six women took four hours to find John Harvie responsible for crashing his 2006 GMC pickup truck into a guardrail on Route 113 in Falls. The May 11, 2014, accident killed his passenger, Robert Robinson, 45.
The jury, however, acquitted Harvie of the more serious charge of homicide by vehicle while DUI as well as two additional counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Harvie's defense attorney, Louis Busico, said he was pleased the jury determined alcohol was not the cause of Robinson’s death.
"My goal was to beat that bad DUI charge, and I did," said Busico. "We all always said that alcohol didn’t play a factor in Mr. Robinson’s death and the jury’s verdict has conclusively agreed with that."
Busico said Harvie could face up to seven years in prison if he was convicted of homicide by vehicle while DUI.
The jury determined Harvie was guilty of the vehicular homicide and recklessly endangering charges because he drove too fast. He faces a maximum sentence of about five years in prison.
Harvie is to be sentenced Thursday.
Busico argued that Harvie wasn’t under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, telling the jury that his client was speeding because he had argued with his friend and was upset.
Jury Verdict Form:
Commonwealth v. John Harvie
8/19/15, Judge Gibbons
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol - Incapable of Safe Driving:
- GUILTY ____
- NOT GUILTY ✓
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol - Blood Alcohol Content:
- GUILTY ✓
- NOT GUILTY ____
Homicide by Vehicle - Driving Under the Influence:
- GUILTY ____
- NOT GUILTY ✓
Homicide by Vehicle - Vehicle Code Violation:
- GUILTY ✓
- NOT GUILTY ____
If you find the defendant guilty, please indicate any and/or all Vehicle Code offenses you find have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt:
- ____ Reckless Driving
- ____ Unsafe Speed
- ____ Roadways Laned for Traffic
This mixed verdict reflects the complexity of DUI and vehicular homicide cases. Louis Busico’s effective defense strategy, emphasizing the absence of alcohol as a cause, led to the acquittal of the most serious charges, demonstrating the importance of nuanced and skilled legal representation in ensuring justice.
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