Royall arraigned in vehicle death case
A Cranberry Township woman, charged with homicide in the death of her boyfriend who was allegedly clinging to her vehicle as she drove off, was formally arraigned on homicide and related charges on Tuesday.
Jessica A. Royall, 28, was arraigned on charges of felony homicide, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, misdemeanor DUI, DUI highest rate, DUI controlled substance, recklessly endangering another person and several summary traffic offenses in President Judge Thomas Doerr's courtroom.
Royall remains held in the Butler County Prison, after bail was denied.
She was charged by Cranberry Township police after an incident on March 23, that police said resulted in the death of her boyfriend, Ryan Minett, 27, of New Brighton.
Police allege that Royall drove her Buick Rendezvous a half-mile on Cross Creek Drive with Minett hanging from a luggage rack on the rear driver's side of the vehicle following an argument. He fell from the vehicle, striking a curb and a lamp post and sustaining injuries that resulted in his death the next day.
Read more about this case in the Eagle.