Crime & Safety

Testimony: Former Assistant DA Had Multiple Drinks Before Hit-and-Run

The trial of Michael J. Donohue began Tuesday.

According to testimony from his first day of his trial, former Delaware County assistant district attorney Michael J. Donohue drank as many as nine beers before he allegedly ran down a teenager on Township Line Road last November, The Delaware County Daily Times is reporting.

Christine Bair, who was Donohue’s server at Sligo, the Media bar he spent several hours at on the November 4, 2011 night of the accident, was among those who testified on Tuesday.

She told Senior Deputy Attorney General Joseph McGettigan that Donohue opened two tabs between 4:23 p.m. and 8:19 p.m. Nine 20 ounce Guinnesses, three other beers, and a handful of other drinks were put on the tabs, according to the receipts.

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Bair said assistant district attorney James Halligan and Pennsylvania State Police trooper Michael McKeon each had one of the drinks.

Though none of the witnesses said Donohue appeared impaired that night, after leaving the bar he hit a Haverford High School student near the intersection of Township Line Road and Bryan Street at approximately 10:25 p.m. and fled the scene.

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The 14-year-old boy suffered a broken hip and internal and head injuries, but was conscious when police got to the scene. The boy was taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Donohue, a resident of the 800 block of Darby Road in Havertown, was arrested ten days after the accident and charged with aggravated and simple assault, aggravated assault while driving under the influence, failing to stop and render aid, and DUI.

Haverford Patch will provide updates as his trial continues.


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