Author: Beaver County Radio

Pennsylvania State Police Report 580 Crashes, 514 DUI Arrests During Labor Day Weekend Enforcement

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today released the results of its annual Labor Day Weekend enforcement initiative.

During the four-day period from August 30 to September 2, the PSP investigated 580 crashes that resulted in 170 injuries and six deaths. Impaired driving was a factor in 65 of those crashes, three of which were fatal.

Troopers arrested 514 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and issued 24,865 citations, including:

  • 7,069 for speeding
  • 889 for failing to wear a seatbelt
  • 121 for not securing children in safety seats

Table 1: Labor Day Weekend Crash Statistics

Year Total Crashes Fatal Crashes People Killed People Injured DUI Crashes DUI-Related Fatal Crashes
2024 (4 days) 580 5 6 170 65 3
2023 (4 days) 671 8 10 220 61 2

 

Table 2: Labor Day Weekend Enforcement Statistics

Year DUI Arrests Speeding Citations Child Seat Citations Seat Belt Citations Other Citations
2024 (4 days) 514 7,069 121 889 16,786
2023 (4 days) 514 9,110 233 864 17,339

Philadelphia woman who was driving a partially automated Mustang Mach-E charged with DUI homicide

FILE – A Ford logo is seen on signage at Country Ford in Graham, N.C., Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A woman was intoxicated and using a partially automated driving system when she caused a March highway crash in Philadelphia that killed two people, authorities said as they announced homicide charges against the driver.

State and federal investigators say the woman’s Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV struck the stationary vehicle of a man who had stopped on the left shoulder of I-95 to assist a driver whose car had broken down ahead of him. The March collision, which occurred around 3 a.m., killed both men.

The crash was at least the second this year involving a Mach-E striking a stationary vehicle after dark that the National Transportation Safety Board has investigated. In a February crash along Interstate 10 in San Antonio, Texas, investigators believe a Mach-E struck a Honda CR-V that was stopped in the middle lane with no lights on. The driver of the CR-V was killed.

In a statement Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police said that drivers using advanced technologies should be prepared to resume control at all times.

“No partially automated vehicle technology should ever be left alone to perform the driving tasks that are required to safely navigate the roads of the commonwealth,” the agency said.

Ford’s Blue Cruise system allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while it handles steering, braking and acceleration on highways. The company says the system isn’t fully autonomous and it monitors drivers to make sure they pay attention to the road.

Investigators in Philadelphia believe that Mustang driver Dimple Patel was driving about 71 mph (114 kph), using both Blue Cruise and Adaptive Cruise Control, when the crash occurred. A fourth vehicle was also struck.

The 23-year-old Patel, a pre-med student from Philadelphia, faces multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter. She turned herself in to police Tuesday on the charges filed last week, state police said.

Defense lawyer Zak Goldstein said he had not yet seen the criminal complaint or any reports on the crash, and called the deaths a tragedy. However, he noted that, broadly speaking, Pennsylvania law on DUI-related homicides requires “that the DUI caused the homicide.”

“If in fact it’s a failure in a self-driving or a driving system, that may not be a homicide by DUI even if the driver is intoxicated,” he said, adding that he has not seen any case law on the issue in Pennsylvania.

Ford has said it was collaborating with the state police, the NTSB and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in reviewing the crash, which killed Aktilek Baktybekov, who had broken down, and Tolobek Esenbekov, who had presumably stopped in the shoulder to assist him.

When it opened a probe of the Philadelphia and San Antonio crashes involving Blue Cruise, NHTSA said both occurred on freeways in nighttime lighting conditions, and that Blue Cruise was in use just before the collisions.

The agency said it is looking into how Blue Cruise performs driving tasks as well as its camera-based driver monitoring system.

Both NHTSA and the NTSB have investigated multiple previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems.

In April, NHTSA began investigating whether Tesla’s fix for a December recall involving more than 2 million vehicles equipped with the company’s Autopilot partially automated system took care of the problem. The recall was done because the driver monitoring system was inadequate and posed a safety risk.

NHTSA said that from January 2018 to August 2023, it found 956 crashes involving Autopilot and Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” systems resulting in 29 deaths.

____

AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.

Man arrested at Trump rally in Pennsylvania wanted to hang a protest banner, police say

FILE – Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Waterford Township, Mich., Feb. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man arrested last week at a Pennsylvania rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had hoped to hang a banner to protest Trump’s policies, Johnstown’s police chief said Tuesday.

Authorities announced that misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest were filed against Stephen A. Weiss, 36, of Pittsburgh, who was taken into custody at Friday’s Trump rally.

Johnstown Police Chief Richard Pritchard said investigators do not know what the banner said because arena staff apparently discarded it. He said it was made from a bed sheet and that Weiss told a detective that he does not believe in Trump’s policies.

Pritchard said Weiss faked a foot injury and concealed a tube of glue in a metal crutch.

Weiss declined comment when reached by phone Tuesday, saying he was seeking legal advice.

The arrest affidavit by a Johnstown police detective said Weiss “ran onto the arena floor, jumped onto the media stage (and) began to yell towards the main stage where President Trump was speaking.” Weiss allegedly would not release himself from steel barricade fencing “and force had to be used,” police said in the charging document.

A man who accompanied Weiss to the rally told police he was unaware of Weiss’ plan, Pritchard said. The second man was not charged, the chief said.

Weiss also was charged with disrupting a public meeting, a misdemeanor. The Secret Service questioned Weiss on Friday and he was released later that night. He has a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 9.

A Trump campaign spokesman offered no immediate comment Tuesday.

The disruption occurred shortly after Trump criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage.

As Weiss was led away, the former president told the crowd: “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”

There has been heightened scrutiny of security at Trump rallies since a gunman fired at him, grazing his ear, during an outdoor rally in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been noticeably tighter since then.

Pennsylvania Turnpike’s *11 emergency number down in state temporarily

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 4, 2024 at 10:13 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pennsylvania Turnpike announced Wednesday morning that their *11 emergency phone number was down throughout the entire state. Drivers who are traveling on the turnpike should call 911 for emergency purposes until further notice, and officials for the turnpike will provide more information in the future. 

 

AAA: Gas Prices Still on the Decline in PA

Gas prices are eight cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.621 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                         $3.621
Average price during the week of August 26, 2024                                          $3.700
Average price during the week of September 5, 2023                                      $3.852

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.434      Altoona
$3.743      Beaver
$3.802      Bradford
$3.443      Brookville
$3.593      Butler
$3.551      Clarion
$3.628      DuBois
$3.599      Erie
$3.659      Greensburg
$3.637      Indiana
$3.643      Jeannette
$3.744      Kittanning
$3.587      Latrobe
$3.608      Meadville
$3.712      Mercer
$3.570      New Castle
$3.546      New Kensington
$3.621      Oil City
$3.653      Pittsburgh
$3.491      Sharon
$3.656      Uniontown
$3.795      Warren
$3.558      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Pump prices continued to fall over the past week and are three cents lower this week at $3.32.  With Labor Day signaling the unofficial end of the summer travel season, there was a slight uptick in gas demand but lower crude prices are helping to offset gas price increases. Today’s national average is 15 cents lower than a month ago and 49 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose last week from 9.19 million barrels per day to 9.30. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 220.2 to 218.4 million barrels, and gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million daily.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate fell by $1.01 to settle at $74.52 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 0.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 425.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Governor Tim Walz stopping by in Pittsburgh, Lancaster, and Erie for political involvement

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 4, 2024 at 10:10 A.M., Updated at 10:26 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be in Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon. He plans to join an involvement with politics in the city after stopping in Lancaster on Wednesday as well. He will also travel to Erie for the next part of his campaign. This shortly comes after a campaign from Democratic Presidential Nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden in the South Side of Pittsburgh. 

 

Beaver County Conservation District spreading pesticide to reduce West Nile virus in Monaca

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 4, 2024 at 10:08 A.M.)

(Monaca, PA) Beaver County is taking the fight to reduce the spreading of the West Nile Virus in Monaca. The Beaver County Conservation District will be spraying a pesticide called AquaDuet boarded on trucks on Thursday, September 5 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. to decrease both the population of mosquitoes and the transmission of the West Nile virus. Even though there is no cure for the West Nile virus, according to the CDC, symptoms can be reduced by rest, fluids, and pain medications. Staying inside is encouraged, but experts say that it is not necessary because it only affects both the environment and animals minimally. 

Charles Lenny Hyre (1964-2024)

Charles Lenny Hyre, 59, of Raccoon Township, passed away on September 2, 2024 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He was born in Crescent Township on November 26, 1964, a son of the late John and Frances Hyre. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Jeff Hyre.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie Hyre, three sons, Caleb, Cody, and Cayden Hyre, three brothers, Terry Hyre, Randy (Edith) Hyre, and Tim Hyre and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles was a Logistics Ops Specialist for P.S.C. working out of the Shell Polymer Plant. He was a member and Elder at Mt. Pleasant Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  He was an avid outdoorsman, thoroughly enjoying spending time at his camp in Tionesta. He loved gardening and the Steelers.  He also was a gracious host; he loved to feed his family and friends and have great conversations. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time with his boys.

Friends will be received on Thursday, Septmber 5 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 6 at 11 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Aliquippa.

Private interment will be held in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant E.P. Church.

Judith Ann Cheuvront (1943-2024)

Judith Ann Cheuvront, 80, passed away on September 3, 2024, in Center Township. She was born on November 14, 1943, in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Johnna (Marvin) Dangle and her brother, Kenneth Hanks. She is survived by her husband, Earl; her son, Michael (Kathleen) Marvin; her daughters, Shelly (Steve) Carpenter and Nicole Cheuvront; her step-daughter, Tam (Ray) McMasters; a son-law: Eric Dangle, her grandsons, Corey Krepps, Nicholas Marvin, and Sean McMasters; and her granddaughter, Elena Marvin. Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her grandchildren, whom she adored deeply.

Judy dedicated her life to her family and community. She was a retired phlebotomist at the Medical Center of Beaver County, a role she cherished throughout her career. Judy was married to Earl Cheuvront for 50 wonderful years, and together they created a loving family.

Judy was a passionate sports fan and a loyal supporter of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She found delight in the simple pleasures of life, such as enjoying Breezy’s Pizza and Harold’s Chicken and spending quality time with her dogs and granddogs.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. 2026 McMinn Street. Private Interment will take place at Beaver Cemetery.
The family extends special thanks to her neurologist, Dr. Lacomis, and his assistant, Becky, for their compassionate care over the past three years following her diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.

Judith’s warm spirit, kindness, and love for her family will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mary Lou Tesla (1931-2024)

Mary Lou Tesla, 92, passed away on September 1, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 4, 1931.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Thomas and Anna Marie Purnell, and her dear husband, Stanley Tesla. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Judge Kim Tesla and Pamela Tesla, her granddaughter and her husband, Nicole M. Tesla and Yashwanth Chimmani, and one great-grandson, Raj Chimmani, that brought her endless joy.

Mary Lou was a beacon of love, compassion and strength.
She was the heart of her family and was always her son’s greatest cheerleader. Her
kindness knew no bounds and her love and passion for animals, especially dogs, and
her gardens will forever be remembered. Throughout her life she cared tirelessly for her pets, including several collies, a golden retriever, several mixed breeds including a
raccoon and a crow.

She was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and loved getting together with her
remaining classmates. Many years after graduating she fulfilled her dream and
graduated from grooming school. She opened Lassie & Laddie Dog Grooming.
Interacting with her canine customers gave her immeasurable joy.
Mary Lou was a devoted mother. She instilled in her son the golden rule of treating all
people the way you wanted to be treated. She loved and encouraged his efforts of
trying to make a difference.

Her loss leaves a void that can never be filled, but we find solace in the countless
beautiful memories she left behind. Her legacy of love will continue to live on through
her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, great-grandson and all those whose lives she touched.

Friends and family will be received to celebrate her life on Friday, September 6 from 3-7 p.m. at Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. of Aliquippa. Departing prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church of Hopewell. Private Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and doctors of
Heritage Valley Beaver and the nurses and staff of Rochester Manor and Villa that
provided her with compassionate care.