ORWIGSBURG - An Allegheny County woman whom police allege was under the influence when she caused a two-car accident in September 2013 on Route 901 in North Manheim Township is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing on Monday.
Nicole M. Moore, 28, of Pittsburgh, still faces three counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, two of endangering the welfare of children and one each of DUI, recklessly endangering another person, disregarding a traffic lane, careless driving, reckless driving and operating a vehicle without valid inspection.
Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, who had been scheduled to preside over Moore's hearing, instead bound over the charges for court.
Ferrier reviewed the consequences of Moore's waiver with her and allowed her to remain free on $10,000 unsecured bail, meaning she did not have to post any money, pending further court action.
Moore, who lived in Minersville at the time of the accident, said little to Ferrier except that she understood the consequences of her waiver of the hearing and that it was knowing and voluntary.
The waiver followed negotiations involving Assistant District Attorney James P. Flagella and Chief Public Defender Michael J. Stine, Moore's lawyer. Flagella said prosecutors did not withdraw any charges against Moore at this stage of the case.
State police at Schuylkill Haven filed the charges against Moore as the result of the accident, which occurred at 2:35 p.m. Sept. 21, 2013, on Route 901 near Red Horse Road.
Police said Moore was under the influence of drugs when, while driving a 2006 Hyundai Sonata west, she crossed over the center line and entered the eastbound lane into the path of a 2010 Kia Soul driven by Debra Skripko, 54, of Llewellyn.
Police said Skripko tried to avoid a collision but Moore's car struck her car head on on the shoulder of the road. The impact pushed Skripko's car upward onto an embankment, causing it to roll back down and onto its roof, according to police.
Three children, ages 6, 3 and 5 months, were in Moore's car, police said. The 6-year-old and 5-month-old suffered serious injuries and were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, while Moore suffered moderate injuries and the 3-year-old escaped injury, according to police.
Moore and the 3-year-old, along with Skripko, who had moderate injuries, were taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, and the child was later released to family members, police said.
According to police, Moore and the children were wearing seat belts and the children were seated in the rear of the car at the time of the crash.Nicole M. Moore
· Age: 28
· Residence: Pittsburgh, formerly of Minersville
· Charges: Three counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, two of endangering the welfare of children and one each of driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving, reckless driving and operating vehicle without valid inspection