– Driver charged with child endangerment in Prospect Park
– Prospect Park driver endangered child by letting them ride on lap.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
An Upper Darby man has found himself in hot water after being charged with endangering his small child by allowing him to sit in his lap, unrestrained, and hold onto the steering wheel while driving along Chester Pike. The man, identified as Orion E. Williams, 29, then compounded his legal troubles by trespassing to retrieve his impounded vehicle and once again driving with the child unrestrained.
Incident Details
The incident unfolded on May 7, when Prospect Park Officer David Vorhees observed a 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck travelling along Chester Pike with a small child seated in the driver’s lap. The child, believed to be under 4 years old, was not wearing a seatbelt and was holding onto the steering wheel.
Upon pulling the vehicle over, Officer Vorhees witnessed the driver moving the child to the bench seat and belting him in. Williams admitted to the officer that he knew it was wrong to have the child in his lap while driving, but claimed he did so to pacify the upset youngster by letting him pretend to drive.
Further investigation revealed that Williams’ license was suspended, and the insurance card he provided was found to be forged. Both Williams and the child’s mother had suspended driver’s licenses, and there was no car seat in the vehicle for the child’s safety.
Legal Consequences
As a result of the lack of legal insurance, Williams’ suspended license, and the absence of a child safety seat, the police had the truck towed by SCS Towing. Williams, who promised to arrange for a ride home, was warned that any vehicle picking him up must have a suitable car seat for the child.
However, just 20 minutes after the pickup was impounded, Williams was caught on video trespassing at the impound lot, retrieving the vehicle with the child, and driving off. This reckless act prompted Chief Dave Madonna of the Prospect Park Police to condemn Williams’ actions, stating that it was unacceptable to operate a vehicle without properly restraining a child, especially on a busy four-lane highway like Chester Pike.
Legal Charges
Williams was subsequently charged with endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person, theft of services, criminal trespass, tampering with records, reckless driving, and multiple driving violations including driving without a license, safety restraint for a child, and insurance.
After being arraigned before District Judge Wendy B. Roberts, Williams was released on $100,000 unsecured bail. However, his legal troubles continued when he was stopped by Darby Township police on May 25 and charged with additional offences.
Williams now faces a court date in Darby on June 4, followed by a preliminary hearing in Prospect Park district court on June 10.
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