Michael J. Petrocik, 72, of the 2200 block of Oakdale Avenue in Glenside, was operating his vehicle at an “excessive speed” while under the influence of medically-prescribed Valium and marijuana when he struck and killed Mary Duffy, 61, on a sidewalk in the 3000 block of Philmont Avenue in Huntingdon Valley in December 2021.

His trial began this week and is expected to last several days. It will include testimony from medical experts about the effects of Valium and marijuana on Petrocik’s ability to drive, according to The Reporter.

Petrocik’s defense lawyer said the incident was a “tragic accident” and claimed that his client was not impaired at the time.

The defendant faces charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of controlled substances, homicide by vehicle, DUI, careless driving, reckless driving, driving at unsafe speeds and disregarding traffic lanes.

For extensive coverage of the trial, you can read The Reporter’s article here. You can also read Montgomery County District Attorney’s press release from January 2022:

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Moreland Township Police Chief David J. Scirrotto announce the arrest of Michael Petrocik, 71, of Glenside, on charges of Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, DUI, Reckless Driving and other charges related to a Dec. 29, 2021, crash in the 3000 block of Philmont Avenue in Huntingdon Valley that killed 61-year-old Mary T. Duffy, who was walking her dog.

At 12:12 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, Lower Moreland Township Police responded to a report of a vehicle/pedestrian crash at 3103 Philmont Avenue. Police and emergency medical personnel arrived to find the female victim lying on the sidewalk and an Audi A6 stopped on the grass approximately 164 feet from the pedestrian. The victim, later identified as Mary Duffy, was transported to Abington Hospital Trauma Center. The victim underwent emergency surgery but died at 1:27 a.m. Dec. 30, 2021. (The dog survived the crash.)

A crash investigation was launched by Lower Moreland Township Police, with assistance from the Montgomery County Detective Bureau. Police found that the entire crash was captured on a nearby business’s surveillance video. Through review of the video, examination of the vehicle and reconstruction of the crash scene, the investigation determined that the victim was walking her dog on the sidewalk in a northbound direction when the Audi, being driven by Petrocik in a northbound direction on Philmont Avenue, failed to navigate the turn and left the roadway, crossed a berm and a grass area. The vehicle then struck Duffy knocking her into a pole. The Audi continued after striking the victim across an asphalt driveway and a yard before hitting a stone wall and going airborne before coming to a rest.

The investigation determined that the Audi was travelling between 45 and 48 mph in a 35-mph zone before the crash, and that the defendant failed to react through the entire event, as the crash video showed no evidence of the Audi’s brakes being engaged. Crash investigators determined that the cause of the crash was directly related to the manner in which Petrocik was operating his vehicle, including excessive speed, and Petrocik’s level of impairment. Laboratory testing on the defendant’s blood found that he had multiple controlled substances in his system.

Petrocik was arraigned on Jan. 27, 2022, before Magisterial District Judge Jay S. Friedenberg, who set bail at $20,000 cash. The defendant posted bail and was released. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m., March 15, 2022, before Judge Friedenberg. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle C. Hughes.

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Photo courtesy of Montgomery County District Attorney