By Paul Pierce
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
A Derry Township man has been charged
with homicide by vehicle and driving drunk in connection with the July
25, 2008, crash in Mt. Pleasant Township that killed his female
passenger.
State police in Greensburg have charged John R. Mehalic Jr., 44, of
1359 Route 981, with driving on the wrong side of the highway, driving
at an unsafe speed and failing to wear a seat belt in the crash near
the Westmoreland Fairgrounds.
Sonya Lynn Purcell, 40, was a passenger Mehalic's 1998 Dodge Aries
that was traveling south on Greensburg-Mt. Pleasant Road. Police said
Mehalic was driving at a high rate of speed about 1:10 a.m. and lost
control of the car, skidded across the road and struck a utility pole.
Police said the passenger side of the car struck the pole in front
of 2045 Mt. Pleasant Road. Purcell and Mehalic were trapped in the
vehicle and had to be extricated by firefighters.
Purcell and Mehalic lived together, according to police.
Deputy Coroner Dennis Johns pronounced Purcell dead at the scene.
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If you are the victim of an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, contact L. Anthony Bompiani for help by dialing (724) 925-9600.