Harry Burak
Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
A homicide by vehicle while DUI charge has been lodged against an Upper Bucks County man who was allegedly behind the wheel at the time of a fatal crash that took the life of an off-duty Bucks County sheriff’s deputy.
Prosecutors filed the new charge Tuesday against Harry J. Burak, 27, of East Rockhill. He is already charged with accidents involving death or bodily injury while not properly licensed, and with driving while his operating license was suspended or revoked, DUI related
The second-degree felony charge of homicide by vehicle while DUI was filed along with DUI, resisting arrest and related offenses.
Burak was allegedly intoxicated when he turned his 2017 Dodge Ram 5500 pickup truck into the path of a motorcycle driven by Deputy Keith Clymer, 48, of Kintnersville. The fatal crash happened along Route 313 near Sterner Mill Road at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 as Burak turned into his driveway.
The latest charges come after investigators reportedly uncovered new evidence in the case. Surveillance video from a nearby tavern show Burak consuming five beers in one hour and 29 minutes. He also bought a six-pack of beer before leaving the bar around 6 p.m., according to court papers.
Officers noted that they smelled an odor of alcohol on Burak’s breath at the time of his arrest.
Deputy Keith Clymer
Credit: Bucks County Sheriff’s Office
Burak, according to authorities, told his girlfriend in a jailhouse phone call that was recorded that he saw Clymer’s motorcycle driving toward him as he turned left.
“He was speeding in my opinion,” Burak allegedly said in the phone call.
“You saw him coming down the road, but you turned because you thought you could make it up the driveway?” his girlfriend questioned.
“Yeah,” Burak replied.
The 27 year old, whose license was suspended until 2023, also is alleged to have struggled with police at the scene and did not follow their commands. In the latest court papers, police said that Burak kicked a police car door and tried to flee.
During an arraignment before a district judge Tuesday, bail was set at 10 percent of $500,000 for Burak.
Clymer, a father to two boys, joined the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office in 2014. He was assigned to the Domestic Relations Warrant Unit and also served as a self defense tactics instructor.
Since Clymer’s death, the county has rallied around his family and raised funds through an online fundraiser. In addition, a beef and beer will be held in Middletown on July 1.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
