A Pennsylvania man is facing accusations after he allegedly crashed his motorcycle while his daughter was riding on the gas tank, leaving her pinned beneath the vehicle. Authorities say he later removed her from the hospital before doctors had cleared her for discharge.
Dallas Coburn, 27, is facing multiple charges stemming from the April 13 incident, including endangering the welfare of a child, DUI, making terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, recklessly endangering another person, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Court records reviewed by Law&Crime further show that Coburn is also charged with improperly riding a motorcycle, operating a vehicle without a valid inspection, providing false information, and interfering with a driver.
On April 13, Coburn was riding his motorcycle with his 7-year-old daughter seated in front of him on the gas tank, the Greene Washington Regional Police Department told Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA. They were traveling along Jefferson Avenue in Canton Township, located just southwest of the Steel City.
Video of the crash shows two vehicles slowing down on the roadway as the motorcycle accelerates behind them. As the rider appears to brake, the motorcycle tips onto its side, skids across the road, and then spins, seemingly trapping Coburn’s daughter underneath.
A 911 dispatch call obtained by the local outlet captured the terrifying moments that followed.
Coburn reportedly jumped up from the motorcycle and yelled at the driver of the SUV in front of him. “What the f— is wrong with you,” he appears to shout before placing his daughter back on the motorcycle and allegedly threatening the other driver.
Other drivers pulled over along the roadside to check if anyone needed assistance. Police said Coburn left the scene before authorities arrived, placing his daughter into another person’s vehicle and then riding off on his motorcycle.
The child was taken to a nearby hospital, where Coburn was also present, and officers spoke with him. He allegedly admitted to drinking earlier, showed signs of intoxication, and refused to undergo a blood test. Authorities say Coburn then left the hospital with his daughter before she had been medically cleared for discharge.
“It’s amazing that this girl didn’t suffer more injuries than what she did. She was very lucky, very lucky to have survived this without being hospitalized for a period of time,” Greene Washington Regional Police Chief William DeForte told KDKA. “The suspect did not have a motorcycle license, no insurance, no inspection, a child on the gas tank. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
Police have issued a warrant for Coburn’s arrest.
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