(Beaver, Pa) District Attorney David J. Lozier released the following statement on the death of a Rochester resident in May:
Rochester resident Jason Fioravanti, DOB 8/29/1974, died on May 7, 2023, of complications related to traumatic brain injury. The Allegheny County Coroner ruled the cause of death to be homicide.
Background: On Monday March 7, 2022, Beaver County 911 received a series of calls about a male causing a disturbance on a BCTA Bus that was proceeding along its regular route on Brodhead Road through Center Township towards the Rochester BCTA Terminal. Upon the bus arriving at the terminal, Rochester Borough Police Department were asked to respond for an intoxicated male who was bothering other passengers, specifically a young black male. While enroute the Rochester Police were advised that the call was now for an assault requiring an ambulance. Arriving officers observed an unconscious male lying on the ground who was later identified as Jason Fioravanti. Fioravanti was transported to Allegheny General Hospital for medical treatment related to a head injury suffered in the assault. Fioravanti was diagnosed as suffering traumatic brain injury and died on May 7, 2023, from injuries sustained during the assault.
Investigation established that Fioravanti was highly intoxicated during this incident and had spent a substantial portion of the bus ride harassing a black male. Fioravanti used racial slurs and threatened the individual. Fioravanti was the apparent sole instigator of these exchanges. The bus driver reported the evolving events to 911. Both males disembarked when the bus arrived in Rochester. Fioravanti continued the harassment and appeared to strike the black male who then struck Fioravanti who fell to the ground. The black male walked away and has never been identified. Local Media assisted in efforts to identify the individual by showing a police photo on news programs. No leads ever materialized. The male who struck Fioravanti has not been located or interviewed.
Based upon the current state of the investigation the District Attorney has determined that no charges will be filed in this case at this time. Based upon the facts as we know them, Jason Fioravanti was the likely aggressor in this confrontation and the individual who struck him may have been acting in self- defense. Furthermore, despite a nearly two-year effort law enforcement has been unable to identify the individual involved.
Beaver County Crime Solvers has offered a reward for anyone providing information in this case. Anyone with information on the identity of the unknown individual is asked to contact the Rochester Borough Police Department, 724-774-7278, the Beaver County Detective Bureau, 724-773-8550, or Crime Solvers, 724-774-2000.