Today’s preliminary hearing for a State College man accused of driving drunk and striking two pedestrians on Atherton Street in October yielded new information regarding the police investigation surrounding the case and confirmed that the driver will face trial on all charges.
Twelve people took the stand during the five hour preliminary hearing. Both eyewitnesses and police stacked evidence that Torsell was breaking the speed limit and that the victims were in the crosswalk at the time they were hit.
At 2:30 a.m. on October 27, Anthony Torsell’s car hit two pedestrians while they were crossing the street, killing one and critically injuring another. Torsell, 20, of West Prospect Avenue, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and carrying a false identification card.
Torsell’s blood alcohol content was reported as 0.242, police said, which is three times the legal limit to drive.
Testimony at today’s hearing revealed that Torsell hit the two pedestrians with so much force that they were lifted out of their shoes and socks. State College Police Officer David Scicchitano explained that when a pedestrian is knocked out of their shoes, the vehicle is usually moving at a high speed. He commented that this is the first time he has ever witnessed pedestrians being knocked out of their socks.
