A Jeannette man was hiding in an attic underneath insulation when he was taken into custody Friday on state police accusations that he was involved in a 2025 hit-and-run that killed an e-bike rider.
Troopers said in court papers that they learned William Edward Sever, 37, was staying at a Harrison Avenue apartment in Jeannette. They set up a perimeter there Friday at 11 a.m. and got permission from the building owner and tenant to search it.
Police said Sever was found lying down on the attic floor underneath piles of insulation. He was taken into custody in connection with charges stemming from the July 31 hit-and-run in Hempfield that killed Jayden Lynch, 19, and a bench warrant in an unrelated gun case.
Troopers had been searching for Sever since they filed charges in November, according to the complaint.
He was arraigned on additional charges Monday in connection with Friday’s arrest. He is charged with flight to avoid apprehension and default in required appearance. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records.
Preliminary hearings in both cases are scheduled for Feb. 12. Sever is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison without bail.
State police say Sever was driving a borrowed car when he hit Lynch, of Jeannette, on College Avenue near North Greengate Road around 11 p.m. July 31 and fled, according to court records.
State police used pieces of the car, observations from a Jeannette officer, traffic cameras and license-plate readers to find the damaged car parked on North Third Street in Jeanette.
Sever denied involvement but said he had consumed alcohol that night, police said. State police used statements from witnesses, surveillance video and Sever’s cellphone records to place him behind the wheel of the car when it hit Lynch, according to court records. He is charged with accidents involving death while not properly licensed, tampering with evidence and related offenses.
