Driver faces fatal DUI case
FRANKLIN TWP — A Butler man is accused of being drunk nearly eight months ago when the sport utility vehicle he was driving slammed into a tree, killing his passenger.
Jason P. Williams, 45, was arraigned Wednesday on a list of charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, in the May 12 crash that claimed the life of 33-year-old Brandon M. Lucas of Prospect.
State police said Williams lost control of a Chevrolet Trailblazer around 2:40 a.m. on Route 528 near English Oak Drive in Franklin Township and hit a tree head-on.
Troopers found the defendant in the driver's seat. Emergency crews said he suffered unknown injuries, but was conscious and talking to rescuers. A medical helicopter later flew him to a Pittsburgh hospital.
Lucas was in the front passenger seat. Butler County Coroner William Young III pronounced him dead at the scene.
At the time, Ken Wilson, chief of the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, called the wreck “one of the hardest impacts I've seen for a while.”
Police said they spoke to Williams before he was taken to Allegheny General Hospital. He admitted that he had been drinking alcohol, according to court documents.
Toxicology results from a blood draw subsequently showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.151 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.
An autopsy determined that Lucas died of severe head injuries suffered in the crash. Police said the death was listed as a homicide.
Crews said neither occupant was wearing a seat belt.
District Judge Bill O'Donnell arraigned Williams on felony charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and vehicular homicide, and a misdemeanor charge of DUI.
Additionally, he is charged with driving with a suspended license, driving without a license, driving at an unsafe speed, disregarding traffic lanes, failing to keep right, careless driving and reckless driving.
Court records showed Williams has one prior DUI conviction from 2016.
He was released on $25,000 unsecured bail following arraignment. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16 at O'Donnell's office in Slippery Rock.
Online court records did not indicate if the defendant has an attorney. He could not be reached for comment.
