Jeannette man charged in hit-and-run that killed e-bike rider

Charges were filed Tuesday against a Jeannette man in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a man who was riding an e-bike in Hempfield.

State police accused William Edward Sever, 37, of being behind the wheel of a borrowed Kia car when it collided with Jayden Lynch, 19, of Jeannette, late on July 31. Sever then fled on Route 130, according to court papers.

There were no witnesses to the crash, but troopers said they used pieces of the wrecked car, observations from a Jeannette officer, traffic cameras and license plate readers to narrow in on a home on North Third Street in Jeannette. There, they reported finding a Kia parked along the street with damage consistent with the crash, according to court papers.

At 3 a.m. on Aug. 1, troopers armed with a search warrant forced their way inside the home of the car’s registered owner, James S. Grady II, 62, according to court papers. They also found Sever and took both men to the police station.

Grady denied being the driver and told authorities he had loaned his car to Sever, his roommate, earlier in the day. A neighbor confirmed Grady was home the evening of the crash, according to court papers.

Sever also denied involvement but said he had drank alcohol that evening, police said. Troopers used statements from witnesses, surveillance video and Sever’s cellphone records to accuse him of being behind the wheel at the time the Kia hit Lynch, according to court papers. Both the car and e-bike were headed west toward Jeannette around 11 p.m. when the collision happened near the intersection with North Greengate Road.

Sever is charged with accidents involving death, tampering with evidence and driving without a license, among other offenses. Troopers said his driver’s license was previously suspended because of a drunken-driving conviction.

No court action was scheduled. Sever didn’t have an attorney listed in online court records. He could not be reached.

He’s free on bail in a 2023 case involving charges of theft, drug possession and unlawful possession of a firearm.

During the search at his home, police said Grady refused to listen to commands and tried to avoid being handcuffed, police said in court papers. He was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. No hearings have been scheduled in the case.