Woman arraigned in vehicle death case
A Cranberry Township woman was formally arraigned Tuesday on homicide and related charges after being charged in the death of her boyfriend, who was allegedly clinging to her vehicle as she drove off.
Jessica A. Royall, 28, was arraigned on charges of felony homicide, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, misdemeanor DUI, DUI highest rate, DUI controlled substance, recklessly endangering another person and several summary traffic offenses in President Judge Thomas Doerr's courtroom. Royall remains held in Butler County Prison after bail was denied. She is scheduled for further court proceedings in July, with jury selection scheduled for Aug. 2.
She was charged by Cranberry Township police after the incident on March 23, which resulted in the death of Ryan Minett, 27, of New Brighton.
Police allege that Royall drove her Buick Rendezvous a half-mile with Minett hanging from a luggage rack on the rear driver's side of the vehicle.
He fell from the vehicle, striking a curb and a lamp post, and suffered injuries that resulted in his death the next day, police said.
Minett was found by emergency personnel at the intersection of Cross Creek Drive and Little Pine Road in Cranberry Township, the criminal complaint states. He suffered “massive trauma” to his head and torso, was unconscious and was flown by Stat MedEvac to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital where he underwent surgery, according to court documents. He died the next day at UPMC Passavant, police said.
The cause of death was identified as blunt force trauma to the head, torso and extremities and the manner of death was identified as homicide, the criminal complaint states.
Police said Royall called 911 to report that she had been driving the vehicle, and when officers arrived at her home on Boardwalk Drive, she was found to be intoxicated.
At her preliminary hearing testimony revealed that Royall indicated she was fearful of Minett after confronting him about money missing from her bank account, as well as a bottle of Vicodin.To prevent further argument and to pick up her children in North Huntingdon, Allegheny County, Royall reported that she attempted to drive off, and Minett then confronted her in the driveway, holding on to the vehicle as she drove away.Royall drove east on Boardwalk Drive, south on Waterlilly Lane, west on Theda-Dori Street and then south on Cross Creek Drive, court documents state.Royall claimed she stopped the vehicle at least four times for Minett to let go, but police said the incident was witnessed by several bystanders, who reported seeing Minett hanging from the driver's side luggage rack, and yelling “stop you're going to kill me” and for them to call police, while Royall was driving the vehicle, speeding with squealing tires.Witnesses told police that Royall was never seen stopping or slowing, driving through three stop signs and hitting a curb at least three times, according to court documents.Minett then fell from the vehicle, tumbling for about 53 feet before hitting the light post, police said. Royall drove off but soon returned while witnesses were providing aid to Minett. Police said Royall approached, removed a cell phone from Minett's pocket, dropped the phone in the street and got back into her vehicle before driving off.Police said Royall's license is suspended. An initial drug screen at the prison showed that Royall reportedly tested positive for cocaine and opiates, according to court documents.
