Commonwealth v. Barone
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
419 A.2d 457 (1980)
Barone (defendant) was involved in a fatal collision when a motorcycle struck her car as she crossed a busy intersection; she was charged with homicide by vehicle under a statute imposing criminal liability, up to five years' imprisonment, for unintentionally causing a death while violating any traffic law. The trial court granted her demurrer, finding the evidence insufficient to send to a jury, and the Commonwealth (plaintiff) appealed.
Whether a state criminal law imposing a conviction for homicide and an unduly harsh sentence upon a defendant for unintentionally causing the death of another during the commission of a violation of traffic laws will be interpreted as a strict-liability offense.