NEW CASTLE —
A North Hill man accused of running over two boys, killing one, has waived his charges to court.
New Castle police Thursday withdrew, then refiled, charges against Virgil Eldon Coonfare, 67, of West Moody Avenue.
He now faces 21 charges in connection with an accident Nov. 25 on Winslow Avenue.
On that afternoon, police said, Coonfare drove a yellow pick-up truck from Stanton Avenue onto Winslow, climbed an embankment into a yard and struck the two children. The accident killed Octavius Stone, 7, of Winslow Avenue, and injured Emil “Ozzy” Velez, 9, of Volant who had been playing in front of Ozzy’s grandmother’s house.
Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa said the original three charges were withdrawn Thursday because police had additional charges to file. Most of the new charges are summary motor vehicle violations.
Coonfare, represented by defense attorney David Acker, was arraigned on the refiled charges Thursday before District Judge Scott McGrath. He remains free on $25,000 bond.
The original charges are homicide by vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The additional charged are: two counts of causing an accident resulting in death or personal injury, two counts of causing accident involving death or personal injury while operating privilege was revoked or suspended, driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, four counts of reckless driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, three counts of driving on the sidewalk, two counts of involvement in an accident that caused damage to unattended vehicles, two counts of failing to provide information or render aid following a motor vehicle accident, and driving a vehicle with no bumpers.
(Email: nlowry@ncnewsonline.com)
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