A quiet Butler neighborhood is still living with the fallout of a deadly crash on Harmony Road, and the man accused of causing it is now headed for a guilty plea. Robert Pflugh, 58, is expected to formally admit to charges stemming from the July 2025 wreck that killed his neighbor, 65-year-old Donald B. Phipps. Pflugh has been held in Butler County Prison since the crash, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026. Phipps was pronounced dead at the scene.
Plea And Court Date
According to ButlerRadio, Pflugh is expected to plead guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and to a misdemeanor controlled-substance charge. He is slated to enter the plea before a Butler County Common Pleas judge, with sentencing set for March 26. Court records indicate he has remained in custody since the day of the crash.
What Happened On Lower Harmony Road
As reported by WPXI, state police said the crash unfolded in late July 2025 on the 100 block of Lower Harmony Road in Connoquenessing Township around 11:25 a.m. Investigators said Pflugh's vehicle crossed into the opposing lane, hit a mailbox, and then struck Phipps, who was standing in his driveway. Phipps was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later charged Pflugh with homicide by vehicle while DUI and driving under the influence following their investigation.
Toxicology And Charging Documents
Charging documents described by the Butler Eagle state that Pflugh told investigators he wasn't looking at the road and said he tried to go around the man before impact. Field sobriety tests at the scene indicated impairment, according to the report. A later Butler Eagle year-end recap noted that toxicology results came back positive for fentanyl in Pflugh's system and that he was being held on $250,000 bail while the case moved through the courts.
Legal Ramifications
Under Pennsylvania law, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence is defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3735 as a second-degree felony. The statute carries a mandatory minimum prison term of at least three years upon conviction. State sentencing rules for felony offenses set the maximum term for a second-degree felony at up to 10 years in prison. The statute and related provisions can be found in the text published by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Next Steps
The plea hearing and March 26 sentencing are scheduled in Butler County Common Pleas Court, where local reports indicate Pflugh will enter his guilty plea. The case is listed as Comm. v. Pflugh, Robert D., case number CP-10-CR-0001119-2025, on the Butler County court schedule. If the judge accepts the plea, sentencing will follow in line with state law and any agreement worked out between prosecutors and the defense.
