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Bailey Lentz Veitch was struck in the 600 block of East Crawford Avenue, Connellsville Township on Sunday, Feb.5 around 7:30 p.m., according to the police and confirmed by her family and friends.
She had been walking home near Geibel Catholic High School when she stopped at a Dairy Queen to get some ice cream in to-go cups and was continuing on her walk when a black 2005 GMC crossed over into oncoming traffic, striking her as she walked along the berm— ramming her into some plastic fencing, before fleeing, Trooper Christopher Keffer explains in the affidavit.
Neighbors rushed out of their homes to help Veitch, calling 911. When Keffer arrived EMS was performing CPR. He observed the spilled and melting ice cream and that she had literally been knocked out of her socks and shoes by the force of the crash; he also noticed the broken plastic fence had the markings of a GMC pickup truck tire and saw surveillance cameras in the area.
Veitch was taken to Highlands Hospital where she later died, according to Keffer.
The surveillance video from the school and nearby homes helped police confirm Keffer's suspicions that the vehicle was a GMC truck. A truck matching that description and image with "significant damage," "embedded fencing," "splattered ice cream was located on the front windshield, roof, and passenger side door," and a flat driver-side tire was found parked outside a Circle K convenience store located at 2001 West Crawford Avenue in Dunbar Township around 9:15 p.m., the police state in the court documents.
Mark Lucic, 42, Mississauga, Ontario, was interviewed and found to display "multiple signs of impairment and was arrested under the suspicion of driving under the influence," Keffer says. A blood test was conducted at Uniontown Hospital and sent to Harrisburg Regional Laboratory for testing, according to the court documents.
Lucic later told the police that he was in the area on a company ski trip and had been staying at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. He delayed his return trip to Canada as he "had been drinking" but then decided to drive anyways blindly following his GPS as it "led him through small towns and kept leading him in the wrong direction," as he explained to police in his interview the following morning. He also told them, he recalled getting a flat tire and pulling into the Circle K where he planned to stay until morning to get his tire repaired, so he decided to start drinking again and fell asleep, he had no other memories from Sunday, the affidavit states.
He was arraigned on the following felon charges before Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. Shimshock on Monday, Feb. 6, according to his court docket:
- Homicide by vehicle while DUI.
- Homicide by vehicle.
- Aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI.
- Aggravated assault by vehicle.
- Accidents involving death or personal injury.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor for DUI/unsafe driving and six summary charges for traffic-related offenses, as detailed in his court docket.
He was remanded to Fayette County jail after being declared a flight risk and was denied bond/bail, the docket shows.
His preliminary hearing is set before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr. on Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m., according to the docket.
Veitch was a sophomore in the Connellsville Area School District, and school officials say counselors have been made available to students and staff.
A GoFundMe was started by a family friend, Jordan Jones, and in the first 24 hours, it has raised $14,589 of a $25,000 goal from 474 donors to help cover funeral costs.
Her father Bobby and uncle Adam have taken to TikTok pleading for justice and are asking for help covering the funeral cost.
Supporters have been sharing their story using the hashtag #justiceforbailey.
She loved spending time with her family and friends, acrylic painting, and taking care of animals, according to her Facebook profile. "She was the light of our family. We all loved her so much. She always made us laugh the comedian of the family. She was a beautiful, caring, loving, fun young girl," Donna Lee Nicols wrote in a Facebook post.
She is survived by her mom Dani, dad Bobby, and brother, as well as her extended family, friends, and classmates, according to social media. Her official obituary with funeral and memorial service details have yet to be released.
Daily Voice has reached out to the family to express our condolences.
Click here if you would like to donate to the GoFundMe campaign.
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