In a tragedy that unfolded on the streets of North Versailles, Aaron Butler, a 20-year-old from Wilkins, is now facing charges of homicide by vehicle in connection to a crash that claimed the life of 66-year-old Tammy Chonko of Duquesne, as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh. The incident, which occurred on April 7, involved Butler's vehicle striking Chonko's car along Crooked Run Road, after which she died from her injuries at the hospital.
According to TribLIVE, witnesses described seeing Butler speeding and weaving through traffic before the crash, with police reports indicating that the airbag control module in Butler's car showed it was traveling at 86 miles per hour just two seconds before the collision upon application of the brakes, even though he was driving well above the 35 miles per hour speed limit. Despite his assertions, he was traveling nearly thrice the lawful limit. During his hospital stay, where Butler was treated for a collapsed lung, he suggested that he could not stop in time because Chonko's car was edging into the intersection. However, his blood tests later came back positive for THC, inferring the presence of marijuana in his system at the time of the accident.
The seriousness of the charges against Butler reflects the gravity of the consequences of his actions—charges laid out include homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and speeding. Authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest, and as of now, court documents do not list any legal representation for the young man, nor is a preliminary hearing date set.
