Brick Township Woman Distracted by Bug Hits Motorcycle Head-On, Killing 2

Brick Township Woman Distracted by Bug Hits Motorcycle Head-On, Killing 2

A Brick Township woman is facing homicide-by-vehicle charges following a crash in western Pennsylvania that claimed the lives of two people riding a motorcycle, according to court records.

Bernadette Ann Cobb, 55, was charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle, as well as aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. The charges stem from a Wednesday crash in Brady, Pennsylvania, court records show.

Brady is located in Clearfield County, roughly 90 minutes northwest of State College and about 30 minutes north of Punxsutawney.

Cobb was driving a 2021 Nissan Rogue eastbound on Route 219 when she crossed into the opposing lane and collided head-on with a 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, according to the Punxsutawney Spirit.

The motorcycle’s driver, 34-year-old Anthony M. Sones, and his passenger, 30-year-old Miranda S. Wormuth, were both killed in the crash, which occurred around 4:45 p.m. on Aug. 12, the newspaper reported.

Cobb told police she had been leaving an apartment in DuBois after completing a cleaning job when a bug flew into her vehicle as she was driving with the windows down. She said she “freaked out,” accidentally lowered her head while trying to swat the bug away and turned the steering wheel, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Cobb said her passenger yelled, “Oh my God,” and attempted to steer the vehicle back into its lane, but they were unable to avoid the collision. She told police the airbags deployed, leaving her unable to see, and that she believed the vehicle was in park before it began rolling backward and eventually stopped in the grass.

Cobb said she was not speeding but could not recall how fast she had been traveling.

According to police, there were no signs at the scene indicating that Cobb was impaired at the time of the crash.

Cobb was initially taken to the Clearfield County Jail but has since been released after posting $100,000 bond, according to court records.

She also faces two counts of careless driving resulting in unintentional death, along with several other traffic violations, the criminal complaint states. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, court records show.