All charges against Thomas Cole, 53, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Beaver County have been held for trial. The charges include homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. Two additional DUI-related charges were added.The courtroom was packed with family members of both the defendant and the victim.Rochester police officers and investigators testified in court, sharing details from the scene of the hit-and-run and their involvement in the investigation. The commonwealth is working to prove that Cole was under the influence when he struck 9-year-old Therman Wallace Jr. along Pennsylvania Avenue in Rochester on April 24. Wallace was found on the ground with his bike, severely injured. Officials testified that they attempted to perform life-saving measures; however, he died at the scene. Video played in court showed the moment a black truck collided with the child on his bike. Officers testified that the vehicle was registered to Cole. According to the criminal complaint, when police spoke with Cole, they smelled “an odor of an intoxicating beverage on his breath.” Cole’s defense attorney, Steve Colafella, argued that there is no evidence Cole was intoxicated before the incident. He said Cole was at work all day before visiting a friend and partaking in alcohol and THC products. Colafella said it was on Cole’s route to his friend’s house that he felt his car bump something, but he claims he did not realize what had happened and never saw the child. Cole’s bond is set at $800,000, and he will be formally arraigned in several weeks.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
BEAVER, Pa. —
All charges against Thomas Cole, 53, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Beaver County have been held for trial.
The charges include homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. Two additional DUI-related charges were added.
The courtroom was packed with family members of both the defendant and the victim.
Rochester police officers and investigators testified in court, sharing details from the scene of the hit-and-run and their involvement in the investigation.
The commonwealth is working to prove that Cole was under the influence when he struck 9-year-old Therman Wallace Jr. along Pennsylvania Avenue in Rochester on April 24.
Wallace was found on the ground with his bike, severely injured. Officials testified that they attempted to perform life-saving measures; however, he died at the scene.
Video played in court showed the moment a black truck collided with the child on his bike. Officers testified that the vehicle was registered to Cole.
According to the criminal complaint, when police spoke with Cole, they smelled “an odor of an intoxicating beverage on his breath.”
Cole’s defense attorney, Steve Colafella, argued that there is no evidence Cole was intoxicated before the incident. He said Cole was at work all day before visiting a friend and partaking in alcohol and THC products. Colafella said it was on Cole’s route to his friend’s house that he felt his car bump something, but he claims he did not realize what had happened and never saw the child.
Cole’s bond is set at $800,000, and he will be formally arraigned in several weeks.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.