Connellsville man waives charges in fatal crash in Dunbar
A Connellsville man waived the charges filed against him Wednesday in a fatal crash that killed a 69-year-old man riding a motorcycle in Dunbar Oct. 10.
Officials set bail for Jeffery R. Ranker, 52 of Johnson Lane at $200,000. He was allegedly driving under the influence of multiple drugs when he hit John Anthony Canada of Dunbar at the intersection of University Drive and Industrial Park Drive at about 6 a.m. Canada was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ranker entered a general waiver, meaning he did not agree to any tentative plea offers.
He was initially denied bail in the case, which was filed last week. His bail was set after discussions between Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower and Ranker蘑菇视频 attorney, Robert S. Disney. Bower offered $400,000 bail and Disney asked for $100,000 bail at the hearing.
Disney said after the hearing his client took care of his ailing parents and wanted to be released from jail to continue their care. Ranker called 911 after hitting Canada, according to Disney.
Ranker蘑菇视频 bail conditions include electronic monitoring, which cannot be counted toward a prison sentence, no contact with witnesses or family of the victim and weekly drug and alcohol testing. He also will not be allowed to drive, said Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. Shimshock.
Ranker was driving a Chevrolet Silverado southbound when he reportedly hit the Suzuki scooter Canada was riding. Canada was stopped in the turning lane at a red light, preparing to turn left onto Mount Braddock Road when Ranker reportedly veered out of his lane and hit the scooter. Ranker admitted to police on the scene he left his lane, according to court documents.
Canada was unresponsive when police arrived. Ranker was taken into custody after failing field sobriety tests. He tested positive for amphetamines, buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine following a blood draw, court documents indicated.
He hit Canada蘑菇视频 scooter at 63 miles per hour in a 45-miles-per-hour zone, state police said. He was also driving with a suspended license, officials said.
Ranker is charged with 3rd-degree murder, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, accident involving death or personal injury, recklessly endangering another person, two counts of DUI and several traffic citations.
Disney said Ranker drove himself from Florida to turn himself in after the warrant was issued for his arrest. He said his client has never faced DUI charges before, and is a U.S. Army veteran.
In 2013, Ranker pleaded guilty to several felonies for pointing a gun at a man during a road rage incident in Greene County June 13, 2012. He was convicted of prohibited possession of a firearm, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and driving with a suspended license. He was sentenced to two years with 18 months electronic monitoring, according to court records. Prohibited possession of a firearm is a charged lodged against people who were previously convicted of an offense prohibiting them from lawfully carrying a gun.