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Passenger Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter For I-78 Fatal Crash: Berks DA

A passenger has been found guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter for a fatal crash on Interstate 78, the Berks County District Attorney's Office annoued on Friday, Oct. 11.

Dustin Harbaugh.

Dustin Harbaugh.

Photo Credit: Berks County District Attorney's Office

Dustin Micheal Harbaugh, 37, of Lebanon, was convicted for causing the crash that killed Jason Carl Blauch, 38, of Myerstown, according to the DA and his obituary posted by Rohland Funeral Home Inc.

Blauch was one of six people the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country crossed the fog line and onto the snowy and icy berm near mile marker 9.8 in Bethel Township around 2 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, as Daily Voice previously reported citing Pennsylvania State Police. 

Front seat passenger, Harbaugh, took control of the steering wheel of the minivan causing the crash, the district attorney's office and PSP explained. 

A jury convicted Harbaugh of Involuntary Manslaughter and five counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person on Monday, Oct. 7, according to the district attorney's office. The jury found Harbaugh not guilty on charges of Homicide by Vehicle and four counts of Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, according to court documents.

Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12. Harbaugh's bail was revoked pending sentencing, the district attorney's office said.

Harbaugh has previously faced numerous charges including Aggravated Assault from Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004; a DUI crash from Sunday, March 11, 2007; a DUI from Sunday, May 12, 2013; and Disorderly Conduct from Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, ad detailed in court dockets.

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