Philly Man Convicted Of Homicide-By-Vehicle In Chesco Fatal Crash

WEST CHESTER, PA —A 27-year-old Philadelphia man was convicted in the Chester County Justice Center of driving into a tree in a stolen car at over 90 mph, resulting in the death of a passenger.

Gordy Tate is in the Chester County Prison Monday awaiting sentencing after being convicted by a jury on Nov. 30 of homicide-by-vehicle, fleeing police, and traffic-related offenses.

Marguin T. Thorn, 25, of Philadelphia died of multiple injuries suffered in the crash in the 800 block of Minor Street, East Bradford Township, just outside of West Chester, according to testimony presented by prosecutors in the four-day trial.

Tate’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Grant Bloomdahl countered Tate was the passenger in the vehicle, and his friend, Thorn, was the driver.

The jury deliberated for 90 minutes following a trial before Judge Analisa Sondergaard.

The crash

West Chester police said they were alerted on Oct. 1 that Tate was driving a stolen car traveling westbound in the 100 block of Chestnut Street.

When an officer turned the overhead lights on behind Tate's vehicle, Tate fleed at a speed of over 90 mph on a wet road, failing to stop at five traffic signs, according to testimony presented by the prosecutors Deputy District Attorney Justin Roberts and Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Connolly.

The vehicle traveled into the 800 block of West Miner Street, East Bradford Township, where it struck a tree and caught on fire, killing Thorn, according to prosecution witnesses.

Thorn was extricated from the front seat of the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Tate was treated in Paoli Hospital for injuries.