Fatal hit-and-run crash in Manns Choice results in murder charge for Osterburg man
Seib accused of driving vehicle that struck and killed bicyclist
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An Osterburg man is facing murder and other charges related to a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred last week in Manns Choice.
Kurtis Lee Seib, 35, is behind bars with bail denied after being accused of striking and killing Joseph Williams, 65, while Williams was riding a bicycle north in the right lane of Hyndman Road, Harrison Township, Bedford County. State police were dispatched to the scene near 10162 Hyndman Road about 8:50 a.m. Aug. 19 and found Williams deceased, court documents state.
Police allege that Seib was driving a 1997 Ford F-150 that struck Williams from behind. Evidence gathered at the scene suggested that the striking vehicle was a maroon or burgundy Ford truck or SUV that would have damage to the passenger side headlamp and passenger side mirror.
On Aug. 20, police received a call from an individual reporting that his vehicle was located on the 200 block of River Lane, Snake Spring Township. The caller said the truck had damage consistent with a news release posted by state police seeking information about the crash.
Police said the vehicle's owner, Seib's boss, lent the truck to Seib and after being unable to get in contact with Seib, who also failed to show up at work, the truck's owner used location services connected to an Apple Air Tag in the vehicle.
The truck's owner found the burgundy vehicle in Snake Spring Township, reporting the vehicle had a broken passenger side headlight, side mirror and smashed windshield on the passenger side. Police said the damage was consistent with the evidence found at the crash scene the day before.
A search warrant executed on the truck turned up a suspected hair from the smashed windshield and small piece of fabric in the passenger side headlight assembly, police reported.
In an interview with police, the Snake Spring Township property owner said Seib had been staying with him for a few weeks and had recently been driving the truck. On Aug. 19, the property owner remembered that Seib pulled in about 9:17 a.m. Seib parked the truck straight into a spot facing the woods, the witness told police.
During the investigation, police located several security cameras that show the truck, operated by Seib, in the time period of the crash in Schellsburg Borough and on River Lane in Snake Spring Township, the affidavit states.
Seib was arrested Thursday and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Tonya M. Osman that evening. He faces a felony charge of murder of the third degree, along with felony charges of accidents involving death, aggravated assault by vehicle and homicide by vehicle. Seib is also charged with misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, accidents involving death while not licensed and accidents involving damage to attended vehicle/property. In addition, Seib faces eight summary traffic violations including driving without a license, driving while license is suspended or revoked, careless and reckless driving.
Seib was remanded to the Bedford County Correctional Facility without bail.
His preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 9 in Bedford County Central Court.