Michael Chermak

Upper Chichester Township Police Department shared a post.

3 days ago

Newtown Square man sentenced to 25 ½ to 51 years
on third degree murder involving 6th DUI

Media, PA – Today Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland announced that David Matthew Strowhouer, 30, was sentenced to 25 ½ to 51 years in state prison for the murder and homicide by vehicle while DUI of victim Deana Eckman on February 16, 2019, in Upper Chichester. The investigation was conducted by Upper Chichester Police Sergeant Jason Yaletchko and Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Detective David Tyler. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt.

David Matthew Strowhouer, 30, of the 2400 block of Woodside Lane in Newtown Square, pleaded guilty before Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mary Alice Brennan to third degree murder and homicide by vehicle while DUI, both felonies of the first degree, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, a felony of the second degree, and related offenses, and was sentenced to 25 ½ to 51 years in state prison.

On February 16, 2019, at approximately 9:22 p.m., the Upper Chichester Police Department responded to the 3300 block of Market Street for the report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers observed a 2019 Subaru with a male operator and an unresponsive female passenger, later identified as Deana Eckman. Paramedics and Fire Rescue crews attempted to extricate the occupants of the Subaru. The male driver was extricated and transported to the hospital for his injuries. The passenger, Ms. Eckman, was pronounced dead on the scene. Witnesses on scene advised that a dark colored Dodge Ram pickup truck had crossed the double yellow lines, travelling into the opposite lane of travel, striking the Subaru head on. Officers observed a heavily damaged, unoccupied Dodge Ram pickup truck on the berm of the southbound lane of travel. While conducting a search of the area to locate the driver of the pickup truck, David Strowhouer approached law enforcement and advised that he had been a passenger in the Dodge Ram pickup truck and that his cousin had been driving the pickup truck. Officers noted that Strowhouer had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and that he was intoxicated to the extent that he could not safely operate a motor vehicle. Strowhouer claimed he had been at a local bar where he and his family had gathered after the funeral of his mother earlier that day. Strowhouer claimed that he and his cousin left the gathering to go to Chester to buy cocaine.

Investigation by law enforcement, witness testimony, and video surveillance revealed that David Strowhouer had been drinking throughout the day and was highly intoxicated when he left a location where his family had gathered, entered the driver’s seat of the Dodge Ram pickup truck, and drove out of the area. Approximately 20 minutes later, Strowhouer, travelling up to 78 miles per hour, drove the Dodge Ram pickup truck into the opposite lane of travel on Market Street when he struck the victims’ Subaru, killing Deana Eckman and severely injuring her husband. Law enforcement officers were able to prove that Strowhouer lied about his cousin driving the pickup truck as his cousin was in Puerto Rico at the time of the crash. Strowhouer’s blood was drawn by hospital personnel and he was found to have cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol in his system.

“David Strowhouer, while high and drunk, got behind the wheel of a truck and tragically killed a young woman, while severely injuring her husband,” said District Attorney Kat Copeland. At age 30 he had committed five DUIs and despite repeatedly going to jail, receiving education and counselling, he consistently emerged only to re-offend. While we are satisfied with this sentence, it will not bring back the victim or undo the emotional trauma this act of violence has caused to her family and the surrounding community. But as the result of excellent team work, with assistance from the community, the defendant will now face the consequences of his actions in a manner befitting the disastrous and heart wrenching nature of his crime. I would like to commend Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt for his outstanding efforts in bringing this case to justice, the investigative work of Sergeant Jason Yaletchko and CID Detective David Tyler, and the assistance of Crime Victim Services Advocate Dana Leahan.” ... See MoreSee Less

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It shouldn’t have taken this accident for him to serve time in prison. He was selfish and had no regards for his life or anyone else’s and now a woman’s dead her life gone because of him. Stop being so freaking lenient on these people that have DUIs. To little to late

May she rest in peace and may her family and friends find closure.... this young man will be off the street and no longer a threat

Awesome job by the arresting officers & for Kat Copeland. I also think that all involved in letting this murderer get behind the wheel while so intoxicated should also be held accountable. Again, Kat Copeland has brought justice.

Should of never been on the street for that 6th DUI

He should have died rather than Deana.

78mph. :(

awesome. great job all

Appropriate sentence. He should never be able to drink alcohol again.

Hopefully he does the maximum because he got off easy.

Pos

GOOD!!! Maybe he’ll dry out

Glad justice was served! Rot in jail!

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Upper Chichester Township Police Department shared a post.

3 days ago

The Chichester High School SADD program needs your support!From Chi High SADD:

We need your help! Chichester High School SADD is participating in the NJM “Just Drive” PSA Contest where we have the opportunity to try and earn $15,000 for our school! We need as many Safe Driving Pledge votes as possible. It will take 5 seconds of your time to help us and help yourself! Here are the steps…

1. Log on to justdrive.njm.com. Scroll down.
2. Where it says “Help us put an end to distracted driving by taking the pledge to Just Drive today!” fill in the 3 fields. YOU MUST INCLUDE CHICHESTER HIGH SCHOOL in the school/organization field .
3. The pledge is mobile device friendly!

Just Drive!
-Chi High SADD ... See MoreSee Less