PA Man Driving On Drugs Charged For Killing His Mom In Crash: Police

A 20-year-old man who allegedly killed his mom while driving high on drugs, crashing on Route 322, has been charged, the Northern Lancaster Regional Police Department announced on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Gavin Kline and the scene of the three-vehicle crash that killed Bethany Welch that he is accused of causing while high on drugs.
Photo Credit: *NLCRPD (over); Lancaster County Forensic Center*

The scene of the deadly crash.
Photo Credit: *Lancaster County Forensic Center*

NLCRPD at the scene of the crash.
Photo Credit: *Northern Lancaster County Regional PD*

Jillian Pikora

02/29/2024 11:00 a.m.

Gavin Meical Kline's mom, 41-year-old Bethany Welch of Palmyra was in the passenger seat of a 2016 Kia Optima when it was involved in the crash with a commercial van and a tractor-trailer, according to the Lancaster County Coroner's office.

The deadly head-on collision happened on West 28th Division Highway (SR322) near the Lancaster and Lebanon County line just before 2:22 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, the NLCRPD detailed in a release and Daily Voice previously reported.

Kline had attempted to pass a tractor-trailer on the left, in a no-passing zone, and "he failed to recognize and or negotiate oncoming traffic," police stated in an updated release. He struck a 2022 Ford Transit van, driven by Matthew Carl of Shillington, head-on, the NLCRPD explained.

Welch was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the coroner.

Welch's accidental death was caused by multiple traumatic injuries from the crash, the coroner explained following an autopsy.

Kline and Carl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken by EMS to area hospitals.

"Evidence suggested that KLINE may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash," the police stated in a previous release. Since then, test results have confirmed he was on drugs, the police announced on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Kline has been charged with the following:

Felony Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence.
Felony Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence.
Felony Homicide by Vehicle.
Felony Aggravated Assault by Vehicle.
Misdemeanor Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
Misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence/Controlled Substance (three counts).
Summary Traffic Offenses (eight counts).

Judge Joseph C. Stauffer set his bail at $150,00 during his preliminary arraignment at 11 a.m. on Feb. 28, court records show. He remains in the Lancaster County Prison. As of Thursday morning, his preliminary hearing had not been scheduled.

Kline has a record of traffic offenses, pleading guilty to not wearing a seatbelt and not stopping a sign or light on April 14, 2023, according to previous court dockets.

Anyone with information is asked to call NLCRPD at (717)733-0965 or Lancaster County Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913.

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