Scottdale driver charged in fatal wrong-way crash on I-70 in South Huntingdon

Marcia Fuller was relieved Thursday to learn an arrest had been made in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon that killed her son.

For nearly two years, she’s kept a close eye on the investigation into David Ott’s June 19, 2022 death.

“It’s just been so hard,” she said. “We’ve been patiently waiting for the system to do what it has to do. It takes forever.”

Cassandra M. Harrold, 30, of Scottdale, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Harrold was released on their own recognizance Thursday afternoon.

Troopers were heading to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 in the New Stanton area around 12:05 a.m. after getting numerous reports of a wrong-way driver. Moments later, they were notified of a head-on crash near the Yukon exit, according to court papers.

Ott was found dead inside a Chevrolet Sonic. Harrold got out of a Pontiac Vibe and police reported noticing an odor of alcohol and Miller Lite cans in the vehicle. Harrold was airlifted by medical helicopter to a hospital.

The Pontiac Vibe had been traveling west in the eastbound lanes, authorities said.

Police did not say in court papers where they believe Harrold got on the wrong side of the divided highway.

Troopers learned Harrold’s blood-alcohol content was .213% and there was THC — the psychoactive component of marijuana — in Harrold’s system, according to court papers. The legal limit to drive in Pennsylvania is .08%.

Video surveillance from a gas station in East Huntingdon showed Harrold bought five Miller Lite cans at 7 p.m. June 18, 2022, and four more just before 11 p.m. A worker told investigators Harrold frequently purchases beer there.

Harrold was arrested at a home in Tarrs pn Thursday by deputies in the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office fugitive apprehension unit.

Harrold could not be reached and an attorney was not listed in court papers.

Ott was living in Greensburg with his girlfriend, Emily Cottle. Fuller said her son planned to ask Cottle to marry him.

He graduated from Frazier High School in 2015 and loved basketball, Fuller said. Ott worked at Randall’s Restaurant in Perryopolis since he was 16 and had just started a job with UPS.

She remembered his positive, kind nature.

“He was so responsible,” Fuller said. “He just wanted everybody to be happy.”

Ott was survived by his parents, a sister, two brothers, a half brother and other relatives. Fuller said she’s had a lot of support from friends and family while waiting for an arrest to be made.

“It felt like a part of my soul had been ripped out,” she said. “He was our life.”