BRODHEADSVILLE, — Nearly three months after a head-on car crash killed a state senator, the driver of the other vehicle expects to face criminal charges — and a wrongful death claim by the lawmaker's estate and his widow.

Sen. James Rhoades, 66, and his wife, Mary, were headed to an event in the Poconos on Oct. 17 when the Cadillac he was driving collided with a pickup truck driven by Thomas Senavitis, 45. The seven-term Republican from Schuylkill County died the following day.

Attorney Christopher Hobbs, the late senator's son-in-law, has since written to Senavitis that "a claim for personal injury and wrongful death is being made against you by Mary Edith Rhoades and the estate of James J. Rhoades." Senavitis' wife, Dolores, received an identical letter. Hobbs urged the couple to give the letters to their insurance carrier.

Beyond Hobbs' correspondence, no lawsuit has been filed against Senavitis. Hobbs declined to comment.

Senavitis, an auto mechanic, denied responsibility for the crash, but said he expects to face charges anyway, given Rhoades' stature.

"I'm just a nobody," Senavitis said in an interview at his home in rural Carbon County, where he is recuperating from a shattered right leg and other injuries. "I'll be guilty no matter what."

The crash happened about 6:30 p.m. on Route 209 near Brodheadsville. State police have said Rhoades was traveling north and that his car collided with Senavitis' truck heading the other way. Rhoades' car also struck a minivan in the northbound shoulder.