Drunk Driver Sentenced To Prison In Bensalem Fatal Crash
by Alex Lloyd Gross
On March 23, 2020, this area was just starting a lock down. Travel was not allowed unless it was for work or to pick up supplies. That did not stop Cooper Edward Finley, of Bensalem from getting behind the wheel of a car and driving. Nether did the fact that he was under the influence of fentanyl, norfentanyl, amphetamine, methamphetamine and methadone in his system at the time of the crash. He was swerving all over Bristol Pike. It was raining that day as well.
As he approached Hulmeville Road, he crashed dead on into another car. That driver, Robert Swanson was trapped in his vehicle and he had to be cut from his car. He died later that day at the hospital.
Before handing down his sentence, Judge McGuffin also listened to an argument from Deputy District Attorney Megan Hunsicker who highlighted the defendant’s lengthy arrest history for drug and paraphernalia possession, including one that landed him in state prison, and his repeated failures to change despite opportunities with in-patient and outpatient rehab and other drug diversion programs. Hunsicker said Finley continued to make “selfish choices” leading up to the March 23 crash and argued that even a sentence of 5-to-10 years is too lenient. The judge agreed.
Finley got six to 14 years in state prison. He pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle, multiple DUI offenses and related traffic tickets. Finley did not have a valid license at the time of the crash.The investigation was led by Detective Brian Oliverio of the Bensalem Township Police Department, and the case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Megan A. Hunsicker.