36°
Thomas W. Kite, 39, was drunk on alcohol and high on marijuana when he crashed into a vehicle driven by Joseph Kovacs, 52, of Trenton, New Jersey, who later died from injuries sustained in the crash, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The crash happened at the intersection of Haines Road and Mill Creek Parkway at 11:12 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, the affidavit states.
Investigators determined that Kite's white 2013 BMW struck Kovacs' blue 2008 Chevrolet Impala from behind, according to the affidavit. Kovacs was stopped for a red traffic signal at the time.
The impact caused the Impala to travel 87 feet into the intersection, the affidavit states. Police estimate that Kite's BMW was going between 79 mph and 106 mph when it struck the Impala. The speed limit at the intersection is 35 mph.
After the crash, Kovacs was taken to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival, according to the affidavit.
At the scene, Kite kept repeating, "What the hell happened?" the affidavit states. He admitted to police that he'd consumed some alcohol that night along with some marijuana. Field sobriety and toxicology testing confirmed his statement.
Investigators learned that Kite initially had a mixed drink with vodka and a shot of whiskey at a local bar at around 5 p.m., according to the affidavit. He then drove to a nearby residence and had three hard seltzers before returning to the bar at 9 p.m. when he had a few more vodka mixed drinks and a few more shots of whiskey.
Police reviewed Kite's criminal and driving history and found that he'd had a DUI arrest within the past 10 years, the affidavit states. That combined with the circumstances of the fatal crash led to vehicular homicide and related charges.
Kite was charged with:
- Vehicular Homicide.
- Vehicular Homicide while DUI.
- Involuntary Manslaughter.
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
- Reckless Driving.
- Careless Driving - Unintentional Death.
He's also facing multiple DUI alcohol and drug charges along with several traffic violations, according to court documents.
Kite made bail, which was set at 10 percent of $200,000, court documents state. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Court records for the past DUI referred to in the affidavit could not be found in the Pennsylvania court system.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bethlehem and receive free news updates.
