Pa. trooper charged with vehicular manslaughter in crash that killed teacher

Prosecutors charged an off-duty Pennsylvania state trooper with homicide by vehicle for causing a fiery head-on crash that killed a woman earlier this year.

Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the charges Monday in connection with the Feb. 11 crash in Sullivan Township in Tioga County. Tioga County is in northern Pennsylvania and borders New York state.

According to an investigation, Michael J. Brown, 35, was headed to his barracks to report for his shift when he tried to pass a vehicle — illegally across double yellow lines — on Route 6. In doing so, his vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle, killing the driver, Christine Woodward, 47, who worked as an elementary school teacher in Troy. Her vehicle was ascending a hill before the 10:48 p.m. crash.

Brown was driving a Jeep Cherokee westbound when he hit Woodward’s eastbound GMC Acadia, which eventually caught on fire. Brown tried to get Woodward out of the burning vehicle, but was unable, according to reports at the time of the crash. Brown recovered from his serious injuries from the crash.

Investigators charged Brown with a felony count of homicide by vehicle and five related summary traffic violations. He surrendered Monday afternoon and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

“This case involves the devastating loss of a mother and teacher, made even more tragic because it was entirely preventable,” Attorney General Henry said. “We must all remember to practice patience and abide by the laws of the Vehicle Code because, otherwise, we are capable of causing irreparable harm. “

Woodward left behind three children. She taught in the Troy School District for almost 15 years, the Elmira School District for 7 years, and the Philadelphia School District for 2 years, according to her obituary. She also volunteered as a basketball coach.