A Wilkins man, Aaron J. Butler, aged 21, has been sentenced to a brief stint in jail following a plea deal for his involvement in a fatal crash in North Versailles early last year. According to CBS News Pittsburgh, Butler's sentence includes three to six days in jail, 18 months of probation, and 50 hours of community service.
Tammy Chonko, a 66-year-old resident of Duquesne, was identified as the victim of the crash that occurred on April 7, 2024. Surveillance footage captured Butler's Pontiac Grand Am aggressively maneuvering through traffic before slamming into Chonko's Nissan Versa, as reported by TribLive. The data from the airbag control module in Butler’s car indicated his speed was 86 mph just two seconds before the impact, when the brakes had been applied.
Further complicating the matter, Butler’s blood tested positive for marijuana at the time of the collision. Initially charged with various offenses, including homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence, Butler ultimately agreed to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and several traffic violations, including reckless and careless driving as well as speeding. The homicide by vehicle charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement. Butler is set to begin his jail term on October 10, following court documents cited by TribLive.
Butler's attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment, but the sentence has been set, leaving the community and the Chonko family to grapple with the ramifications of the judicial process and the weight of a life cut tragically short.
