Fayette County man charged with homicide by vehicle
A Perryopolis man was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he hit and killed the driver of another vehicle last September, state police alleged in court paperwork filed Wednesday.
John Celaschi, 25, was leaving a wedding when the truck he was driving allegedly crossed the center line on Brownsville Road in Jefferson Township, hitting a Chevrolet Cobalt and killing its driver, 26-year-old Quinte Brown. The crash occurred around 11 p.m. on Sept. 21.
Police said Celaschi, driving a Chevrolet Silverado, hit Brown’s car head-on. According to court records, the data recorder in his truck indicated Celaschi had been driving 74 mph in the 45 mph zone 5 seconds before the crash.
When police asked Celaschi if he’d been driving, he reportedly told troopers he had “a couple drinks” about one hour before the crash. When they asked if he used any drugs, he told police “not tonight,” according to court paperwork.
Police said tests showed Celaschi’s blood-alcohol content was between .113 and .119, over the .08 limit. He also had marijuana and cocaine in his system, charging documents state.
Brown, a former Ringgold High School football player, died at the scene from blunt force trauma to his head, neck, torso and extremities.
Celaschi is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault while DUI, causing an accident involving death while not licensed and other DUI-related charges.
Celaschi is out on $20,000 bond and his preliminary hearing is scheduled next month in front of District Judge Jason Cox.