A motorist responsible for a traffic accident that claimed the life of a Lancaster state trooper last month had a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit, officials said today.
Kristina M. Quercetti, 40, of Landenberg, Chester County, was charged today with numerous offenses from the accident, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of intoxicants — a charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison.
Trooper Kenton E. Iwaniec, 24, had just finished work on his shift at the Avondale barracks and was driving home to Lancaster, traveling north on Route 41, police said, when Quercetti's sport utility vehicle crashed head-on into his car around 10:20 p.m. on March 27.
Quercetti's blood alcohol content was 0.34 percent, according to court documents filed today before District Judge Thomas Martin.
In Pennsylvania, the legal limit is 0.08.
Additionally, Quercetti was charged with possession of OxyContin, a powerful prescription painkiller, speeding — traveling 73 mph — and endangering the welfare of children, because she had a 5-year-old boy riding in the back seat of her vehicle at the time of the crash.
Quercetti was also charged with aggravated assault while driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving under the influence of intoxicants and a controlled substance, recklessly endangering another person, careless driving, reckless driving and homicide by vehicle, officials said.
The woman turned herself into authorities this morning. At press time, her bail had not yet been set.
Quercetti was traveling southbound on Route 41, police said, when she crossed into the oncoming lane near Mosquito Lane in London Grove Township.
She first hit the driver's side of a pickup truck driven by Larry Keith, 64, of Ephrata, then crashed head-on into Iwaniec's car, police said.
Iwaniec was flown by helicopter to Christiana Hospital where he died early the next morning, police said.
Quercetti and the child were taken to the same hospital by ambulance, where police said she was treated for minor injuries. The child was not hurt.
Keith also was not injured, troopers said, and was able to drive from the scene.
Originally from Ligonier, Westmoreland County, Iwaniec graduated from the state police academy in December 2007 and had just completed his probationary period, officials said.
Family members described him as active in his church, an athlete and outdoorsman. Fellow troopers described him as "eager, enthusiastic and dedicated."
Immediately after graduating from St. Vincent's College with a history degree in June 2007, a family spokesman said, Iwaniec joined the Pennsylvania State Police, which was a fulfillment of his dream.
Unmarried, Iwaniec told relatives he had hoped to eventually transfer back to Westmoreland County to be closer to his family.
Staff writer Janet Kelley can be reached at jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026.
