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Fatal-crash driver waives hearing

A 19-year-old New Garden Township man accused of causing a fatal crash waived his preliminary hearing yesterday.

A 19-year-old New Garden Township man accused of causing a fatal crash waived his preliminary hearing yesterday.

Jose A. Jaimes faces charges that include homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and numerous traffic offenses in connection with a Nov. 7 crash on Rt. 202 in Westtown Township. Westtown-East Goshen Township police said Jaimes ran a red light at the Stetson Middle School, crashing into a vehicle driven by Harry Ernst, who was killed.

Ernst, 81, of West Chester, a graduate of Kutztown University, taught biology at Haverford High School, was an an EMT with Good Fellowship Ambulance, and a regular fixture at the front desk of many local fitness clubs in the West Chester area, according to his obiturary.

Jaimes, who is represented by Thomas K. Schindler, was released from Chester County Prison on Dec. 17 after posting a $25,000 bond. According to court records, Jaimes pleaded guilty to failing to stop at a red light after being stopped by Kennett Square police on July 17. A formal arraignment date is scheduled for  Feb. 23.