Peavler

A city woman is behind bars after allegedly striking a motorcyclist head-on in her vehicle in September 2022, resulting in his death.

Desiree R. Peavler, 52, was arraigned Monday by Magisterial District Judge Paula M. Aigner on a single felony count homicide by vehicle, as well as a single misdemeanor count of involuntary manslaughter and summary charges of reckless driving, careless driving – unintentional death and vehicle failing to yield while turning left. She was remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of $100,000.

Peavler was driving a Hyundai sedan on Sept. 18, 2022, when she attempted a left turn from the middle lane of East Pleasant Valley Boulevard onto Stadium Drive in Antis Township. A motorcyclist, Christopher Cowfer, was driving in the southbound lane and was struck head-on by the sedan. Cowfer, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Peavler told officers she remembered having her left turn signal on, but didn’t remember making the left turn.

She said she heard a loud bang, saw Cowfer bleeding on the road and got out of her vehicle to wave people down to call 911, court documents state.

Witnesses told officers they saw the sedan in the middle lane with its left turn signal on, as well as the motorcycle in the southbound lane.

The witnesses said they drove past the sedan, heard a loud bang, looked back and saw there had been a crash, the police report states.

Peavler is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Carmine W. Prestia Jr. on Feb. 18.