A trial for the Hagerstown man who was indicted of homicide by a motor vehicle in the death of a Pennsylvania motorcyclist which occurred in October, has now been postponed.
Robert Daniel Hilliard Jr., 26 years of age, was scheduled for a hearing on defense motions on Thursday, with the trial set for Monday in Hagerstown court. Assistant Public Defender Charles Bailey stated that the postponement was a joint request by the defense and the prosecution.
The defense received discovery evidence from the State on Thursday and more time is needed to investigate it to determine if there was suppression issues. No new trial date has been set as of yet.
Hillard has been charged in the death of Richard Burchfield II, 45 years of age, of Oil City, PA. Burchfield was riding his motorcycle on Eastern Blvd. On October 6th, when a Honda sedan hit the rear end of a Ford Focus which caused the Ford to crash into Burchfield’s motorcycle. The impact made Burchfield and his motorcycle go under a sport utility car. Burchfield passed away the next day at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown.
Court records state that on top of two counts of homicide by a vehicle, Hilliard was also indicted for manslaughter by motor vehicle; negligent manslaughter; criminal manslaughter; causing life-threatening injury while impaired by drugs; causing life-threatening injury while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance; failure to immediately stop at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury; driving under the influence of alcohol; driving a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol; and several traffic offenses.
This is a very tragic case and our deepest condolences go out to the Burchfield family!
As a Federal Way auto accident attorney, I have witnessed far too many automobile accident cases caused by someone whose judgment was impaired due to alcohol or drugs. If you find yourself injured in a car accident, also as a Federal Way personal injury lawyer, it is my suggestion that you seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney.