Mt. Pleasant woman charged with DUI in Rt. 31 crash that injured 2 pedestrians
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State police say a Mt. Pleasant woman was nearly three times over the legal limit of alcohol when she veered off Route 31 early July 3 and struck two pedestrians in Mt. Pleasant Township, seriously injuring one.
Elizabeth M. Sirianni, 30, was arraigned Monday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving and two counts each of aggravated assault by vehicle and disregarding traffic lanes. Sirianni was released on $10,000 unsecured bond, according to court documents.
Police said Sirianni was driving west on Route 31 in Mt. Pleasant Township, near the intersection of Yoder Avenue and Maple Street, shortly after 2:30 a.m. when she veered onto the shoulder and struck two pedestrians with her SUV.
Trooper Joshua Wiskeman said in court documents that Sirianni smelled of alcohol at the scene and had trouble standing. Wiskeman said Sirianni admitted drinking at two bars prior to the crash.
Wiskeman said a chemical test after the crash indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.229 %. A blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated in Pennsylvania.
Wiskeman said one victim, 23-year-old Vincent Polito of Mt. Pleasant, was flown by medical helicopter to the intensive care unit at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Police said he was recently transferred to the special care unit at Excela Health Latrobe hospital, where he remains “unresponsive” after multiple surgeries for head injuries.
Police said the side mirror of Sirianni’s vehicle also struck another man, Lawrence Grimes, 40, of Armstrong County, injuring his left forearm. He was treated by ambulance personnel at the scene.
Court dockets indicate Sirianni was arrested for DUI last year in Mt. Pleasant.
Sirianni could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, Paul Toohey of Mt. Pleasant, did not return a call seeking comment.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 5 before East Huntingdon District Judge Charles Moore.