Driver faces charge of homicide in Feb. crash

A 39-year-old McKees Rocks man was charged with vehicular homicide Thursday after a 54year-old woman died Tuesday from injuries she suffered in a multi-vehicle crash in February on the McKees Rocks Bridge.

Allegheny County police believe Christopher J. Vuckovich was driving under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle crossed the center line on the bridge and caused the five-vehicle crash around 9 p.m. Feb. 15.

The 2006 Dodge Durango that Mr. Vuckovich drove was traveling about 62 mph on the bridge in the seconds before the crash, according to a criminal complaint, and “inexplicably” crossed the center line and struck a vehicle occupied by a man and a 12-year-old girl. The Durango kept going and then struck a Dodge Challenger that was being driven by James Hamilton; Terry Hamilton was riding in the front passenger seat.

Both were seriously injured. Ms. Hamilton had to be extricated from the vehicle and hospitalized; she died from her injuries on Tuesday, according to the complaint.

Mr. Vuckovich was also trapped in his vehicle after the crash, according to the complaint, and was unresponsive when he was hospitalized for treatment.

Blood tests taken by hospital staff showed Mr. Vuckovich had a blood-alcohol concentration of more than twice the legal limit for driving on the night of the crash, according to the complaint.

Mr. Vuckovich was also driving without proper vehicle registration, according to the complaint. He was charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, driving under the influence and several other related charges. He had not yet been arrested Thursday morning.