The father who gave his unlicensed daughter a driving lesson that claimed the life of a young mother in April told investigators he tried to reach out with his hands and push the brake pedal as his car raced out of control.
Richard Miller, 46, of the 3200 block of Longshore Avenue in Mayfair, is charged with felony homicide by vehicle and misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter in the April 17 crash that killed Sarah McGinley, 18. McGinley tossed her baby to safety before being run over on the lawn of a Mayfair house.During a preliminary hearing yesterday, defense attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. called the crash “a sad tragedy,” but not a case of criminal misconduct.
“At some point, there are some circumstance that are unimaginable accidents,” Perri told Municipal Court Judge Marsha Neifield. “This father did what most American fathers do with their children.”
He said Miller chose to give his daughter a driving lesson in the fenced and empty parking lot of Abraham Lincoln High School during the weekend. When the 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis raced forward, Perri said, Miller “was making every effort to stop that car.”
Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci said Miller's 15-year-old daughter, Megan, did not have a learner's permit and later told investigators she was unsure which pedal was the gas and which was the brake.
Neifield said she would hold a hearing Aug. 11 to determine whether there was enough evidence for Miller to stand trial.
Last month, Megan Miller pleaded guilty in Family Court to felony charges of causing a fatal accident without a proper license. She was placed on interim probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, pending a sentencing hearing Aug. 30.
Police Sgt. Albert Gramlich testified yesterday that Megan Miller told investigators, “I was learning to drive, and I wasn't sure of the pedals.”
Her father told her to brake, but she told Gramlich, “I tried, but I couldn't find it. He reached over to try to push the brake.”
Gramlich said Richard Miller also told him he tried to push the brake. Miller told Gramlich he helped lift the car off McGinley's body after she was hit.
Gramlich said investigators found no mechanical problems with the car. Michael Murphy, a witness, testified that he never saw the brake lights go on as the car raced forward.
Contact staff writer Jacqueline Soteropoulos at 215-854-4497 or jsoteropoulos@phillynews.com.