Jeannette man jailed on DUI charges after crash injures woman, child

A Jeannette man is behind bars after police said he was driving while impaired during a crash that seriously injured two people.

Allan M. Beech, 33, was jailed last week on $250,000 bail on charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, child endangerment and related offenses in connection with a Sept. 3 crash in Penn Township. He did not have a valid driver’s license at the time, according to court papers.

First responders were called to Baughman Road just before 9 p.m. after a Chevrolet Silverado crashed into a tree. Police said four children and a woman were inside the truck when Beech crashed.

Three of the children, ages 4, 6 and 11, were found in a witness’ vehicle. They were taken to a hospital for evaluation. A 14-year-old boy had ran to a nearby house and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to court papers.

The woman was freed from the pickup and also taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

A witness told police Beech was heavily drinking beer at a home on Baughman Road before the crash. He had been asked to leave because he was acting belligerent, according to court papers.

The woman inside the pickup told police she and Beech were arguing about him driving and she grabbed the wheel when the truck was in the opposite lane.

Beech’s driver’s license previously had been suspended, according to police. His blood-alcohol content was .311%. The legal limit to drive in Pennsylvania is .08%. He also had marijuana in his system and was taken to a hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Beech did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A Jan. 2 preliminary hearing is set. He was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison.