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A Bedford County man is behind bars on homicide by vehicle charges after state police wrapped up a monthslong investigation into an August crash that killed two people.
Logan M. Imler, 25, of Hyndman was driving his Ram truck north on Route 96 near Watson Road on Aug. 6 when he crossed the double yellow center line and struck an offroad vehicle, police reported.
Jason D. Diehl, 22, of Manns Choice and a 17-year-old female of Altoona were killed in the 8:50 p.m. crash.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Imler crossed the double yellow line and went into the southbound lane to pass an SUV driven by a witness to the crash. The go-kart was in front of the SUV. After striking the go-kart, Imler's truck went off the road and struck a tree.
Diehl was trapped in the go-kart and was pronounced dead at the scene. The teenager was ejected and was also pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
In an interview with police, Imler said he was headed to work and got behind the slow-moving SUV. He said he didn't know why it was going slow and pulled out to pass. He didn't see anything until he entered the intersection and saw the go-kart crossing the road as he struck it, the report states.
A witness in the SUV said she saw a dark object on the road in front of her and, while she didn't see any lights on the vehicle, she was able to see the go-kart.
Other witnesses also reportedly saw the go-kart without lights, the report states.
Witnesses stated that Imler sped up to pass the SUV. As Imler passed the vehicle, the go-kart turned left toward Watson Road and was struck by the truck.
Imler was arraigned Friday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Kevin R. Diehl on two felony counts each of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle, misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person and summary traffic violations.
Bail was set at $200,000 and he was remanded to the Bedford County Correctional Facility.
His preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 3 in Bedford County Central Court.