Symere Butler, 30, of Pottstown.
Investigators have made an arrest in connection with the Aug. 3 fatal crash in Pottstown that killed 36-year-old Nicole Benzenhafer.
Symere Butler, 30, of Pottstown, has been charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, accident involving death while not licensed, DUI and related offenses, in connection with the crash. Butler is in county jail on $500,000 bail while he awaits his preliminary hearing.
Investigators said Butler was traveling westbound on Queen Street in a Chevrolet Impala at 10:18 p.m. as the vehicle approached the intersection with Madison Street. The criminal complaint states Butler was traveling between 71 and 72 miles-per-hour in a posted 25 mile-per-hour zone when his vehicle went airborne through the intersection, striking a Chevrolet Equinox — driven by Benzenhafer — in what investigators described as a “violent head-on impact.”
Butler’s vehicle then struck a parked pickup truck and came to a rest, investigators said.
The complaint states that Benzenhafer was extricated from her vehicle and transported to Reading Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Butler was able to crawl out of his vehicle, and he was also transported to Reading Hospital, where he was treated and released.
Investigators said that toxicology reports showed that Butler had fentanyl and marijuana in his system at the time of the incident. Crash scene investigators determined that both Butler’s level of intoxication and the speed and manner in which Butler operated his vehicle directly led to the crash, according to the criminal complaint.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bridget Gallagher, who is a member of the Pottstown Community Justice Unit. Butler’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 8 a.m. in front of District Judge Edward Kropp.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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