Butler man sentenced in fatal DUI crash on Harmony Road
A Butler man on Thursday, March 26, was sentenced to serve 5-10 years in state prison after pleading guilty to striking and killing a pedestrian in July while driving under the influence.
Robert D. Pflugh, 59, realizes he was at fault and is taking responsibility, assistant public defender Kimberly Hudak said at the Thursday sentencing.
Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Maura Palumbi sentenced Pflugh to serve 5-10 years in state prison, pay a $1,000 fine and complete 140 hours of community service. He had earlier entered a guilty plea to a felony charge of homicide by vehicle while DUI and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
Police said Pflugh was driving a 2006 Saturn Ion east on Harmony Road in Connoquenessing Township around 11:30 a.m. on July 30 when he crossed into the westbound lane and struck Donald B. Phipps, 65, who was standing in his driveway, according to state police. Phipps died at the scene.
Pflugh remained at the scene and was arrested by police. A blood test revealed fentanyl in his system, police said.
He pleaded guilty Feb. 10 and was credited for 240 days time served.
