A Penn State student was arrested on Thursday and charged with vehicular homicide for a crash that killed another university student earlier this week in State College.
Ahmed M. Alqubaisi, 20, of United Arab Emirates, was driving at an unsafe speed in the westbound lane on the 200 block of East Park Avenue when he lost control of his 2024 BMW M3 at about 8 p.m. Tuesday, police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. Alqubaisi crossed into the eastbound traffic lane and onto the sidewalk, where he hit 25-year-old Lovisa Arnesson-Cronhamre, who was jogging at the time.
The impact of the crash threw Arnesson-Cronhamre about 80 feet. Responders performed life-saving measures before she was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center and then flown to UPMC-Altoona, where she died from her injuries at about 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Arnesson-Cronhamre, a doctoral student from Sweden who was studying architectural engineering, suffered a brain bleed, broken neck, shattered right arm and broken left foot.
“We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of Lovisa Arnesson-Cronhamre, and we send our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” Penn State spokesperson Wyatt DuBois said in a statement. “Penn State Student Affairs has been in touch with her family and friends and is providing support to those who have been impacted.”
Alqubaisi, according to the affidavit, had a four-year learner’s permit and did not have a licensed driver in the vehicle with him at the time.
Police wrote that he was driving at “a higher rate of speed than would be deemed safe in that area,” in the rain on a wet road adjacent to the University Park campus.
Surveillance video footage showed Alqubaisi’s car enter “an uncontrolled state” as he neared the area where Arnesson-Cronhamre was jogging, according to the affidavit. Alqubaisi made a sudden turn into the opposing eastbound lane, went over the curb, struck a standpipe and knocked down a light pole.
Arnesson-Cronhamre was then hit by the passenger door side of the car, which subsequently struck a tree and rotated 360 degrees before coming to rest. The damage to the BMW after hitting the tree showed the rear end of the vehicle was in a raised position, police wrote.
The Centre County Crash Reconstruction Team determined that Alqubaisi’s speed based on weather and road conditions was an important factor in the crash, which occurred in an area with heavier vehicle and pedestrian traffic because of its proximity to the Penn State campus. Police also noted Alqubaisi’s limited driving experience.
Alqubaisi is currently suspended from the university and has no other ties to Pennsylvania, according to the affidavit. The investigating detective wrote that he was concerned Alqubaisi might not remain in the state if released.
In addition to felony homicide by vehicle, Alqubaisi is charged with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person, as well as summary offenses of careless driving causing unintentional death and driving at an unsafe speed.
He was arraigned on Thursday morning by District Judge Gregory Koehle, who denied bail. Alqubaisi is being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27.
Police wrote in a news release on Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have video, witnessed the crash or has other relevant information is asked to contact the State College Police Department at (814) 234-7150, by email or by submitting an anonymous tip online.
