LANCASTER TWP — A Harmony man was nearly triple the legal limit for alcohol last summer when he lost control of his pickup and it crashed, killing a friend in the passenger seat, authorities said.

State police Tuesday charged 56-year-old Alan J. Moser with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence in the crash on Route 19 in Lancaster Township.

Moser admitted he consumed several beers and shots of whiskey before getting behind the wheel Aug. 31, according to charging documents.

Daniel R. “Digger” Watson, 44, of Harmony died in the wreck.

Moser was treated for injuries at a Pittsburgh hospital.

Police suspect Moser and Watson had been drinking for hours at the Moose Club before they left in Moser’s Ford F250 pickup.

Moser was northbound on Route 19 at 4:10 p.m. when he hit a mailbox and cement retaining wall before the truck rolled over and landed on its wheels, police said.

Watson was dead when rescue crews got there. Moser was trapped in the vehicle.

Police spoke to Moser in an ambulance while paramedics tended to his injuries. He said he was at the Moose Club from 1 to 4 p.m., where he drank three beers and three whiskey shots, according to a police affidavit.

A medical helicopter eventually flew Moser to UPMC Presbyterian hospital for treatment.

A hospital toxicology report showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.22 percent, documents said. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

In addition to the count of homicide by vehicle while DUI, Moser faces a separate felony charge of vehicular homicide. He also is charged with DUI and five traffic violations.

It was not immediately known if Moser has an attorney. He could not be reached for comment.

Moser has not yet been arrested.