BRODHEADSVILLE, Pa. — A man was charged today with vehicular homicide while under the influence in a head-on crash that killed a veteran state lawmaker.

Thomas Senavitis, 45, had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit for driving when his pickup truck crossed over the center line and plowed into Sen. James Rhoades' Cadillac on Oct. 17 in the Poconos, state police said in court documents.

Rhoades, a seven-term Republican from Schuylkill County, died the following day. His wife Mary was seriously injured.

Senavitis, who lives near Leighton in rural Carbon County, also was charged with vehicular aggravated assault while under the influence, drunken driving, reckless endangerment and several moving violations.

In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Senavitis denied responsibility for the crash and said alcohol played no role. "I'll go to my grave knowing what happened. I did not do anything wrong," the auto mechanic said then.

Senavitis told police in court documents that he only had one beer several hours before the crash. He was scheduled to be arraigned later today.