Montco woman charged with DUI in husband's death

An Elkins Park woman who has a previous drunken-driving conviction was charged Monday with causing her husband's death in an alleged DUI accident in Lower Moreland in August.

Alexandria Cogan, 54, was arraigned on charges including a felony count of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.

The accident occurred Aug. 19 on Huntingdon Pike near Spur Road. Cogan was driving a Mazda Miata convertible with the top down when it crossed over the yellow lines and slammed into a Toyota Camry, police said.

The Mazda flipped over, and Cogan's husband, Stuart, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Camry, which suffered heavy front-end damage, was rushed to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Police said Cogan was driving 63 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone at the point of impact. Her blood alcohol level was 0.253, more than three times the legal definition of drunken driving, court documents allege.

After she was arraigned Monday afternoon, District Judge Jay Friedenberg set bail at $100,000 and she was released. Her Philadelphia-based attorney, Glenn Frank Gilman, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Court records show that Cogan was arrested in 1999 in Cheltenham for DUI and was allowed to enter Montgomery County's diversion program.

610-313-8118

@Ben_Finley