Traffic fatality

Traffic fatality
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- A 68-year-old Philadelphia man died when he lost control of his car on state Route 80, causing a collision with a trailer being towed by another motorist, police said.
Robert J. Townsend was westbound at 4:05 p.m. Friday when he went into the median, returned to the roadway and hit the trailer being towed by Bruce C. Ladenheim, 47, of West Hurley, N.Y., Pennsylvania State Police said.
Townsend's vehicle then rolled onto its side, went off the roadway and flipped several times. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle.
Dinner theater
SANDY LAKE, Pa. -- Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church will present its first dinner theater production, "Let It Rain," Friday and Saturday in the church social hall. The Christian comedy, directed by Kelsey Oakes, Sherry Reynolds and Judy Sherry, features 14 members of the church. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and a braised steak dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 for ages 13 and up. Tickets for children 4 through 12 are $6. For reservations, call (724) 376-2630 or (724) 376-3806.
Wizard performance
NEW WILMINGTON -- The Wilmington Middle School Parent/Teacher organization, P.R.I.D.E., will sponsor a performance by The Harlem Wizards at 7 p.m. April 18 in the high school gym. Tickets are $7. Proceeds will go toward school supplies such as software and books, and to assist with extracurricular activities such as chorus, band, track and field. For tickets, call (724) 946-8424.
Rape trial
ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- Suspended police officer Sean E. Perseo will stand trial on nine charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and sexual assault.
Erie police filed the charges Jan. 15, two days after a woman said Perseo assaulted her in the home they shared for years. Perseo had moved out five days earlier.
During 90 minutes of testimony Friday, the woman said the couple's two older children were sleeping, but the 3-year-old woke up and watched the attack from the bedroom doorway.
While free on bond on the rape charge, police said Perseo contacted the woman at work and he was sentenced to one to six months in jail after pleading guilty March 8 to violating a protection/abuse order.
Police have also charged Perseo with one count of intimidating a witness for trying to get the woman to drop the charges.
The woman acknowledged having sex with Perseo about three days before the rape, offering him "a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in tonight, you can sleep over" after they had been drinking.
She said she made the offer because Perseo had complained about having to sleep on the floor after he moved out of their home.