Penn Hills man charged with homicide by vehicle, DUI in November crash in Monroeville

Police have charged a Penn Hills man with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence in a Nov. 3 Monroeville crash that resulted in the death of his passenger and injuries to himself and two occupants of another vehicle.

Marcus E. Alston Sr., 49, also is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Shiya Young, his passenger in a Nissan Pathfinder.

Young was pronounced dead at AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, where all of the injured motorists were taken for treatment. Her death was attributed to blunt force injuries in the crash, according to a complaint filed by Allegheny County Police.

Alston and the occupants of the other vehicle were in stable condition after arriving at the hospital, police said.

Police said Alston was driving more than 90 mph when his westbound Nissan Pathfinder rear-ended a Toyota RAV 4 in a 35 mph zone on William Penn Highway. According to police, later testing indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .233% at the time of the collision, nearly three times the legal limit of .08%.

Alston additionally is charged with recklessly endangering another person, speeding and driving with a suspended license.

The crash was reported shortly after midnight near the intersection of Lewis Drive. After rear-ending the Toyota, the Nissan continued for another 1,300 feet before colliding with a gas meter, according to the complaint.

Alston was arraigned Monday and was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. He faces a preliminary hearing on June 13.

Online court documents didn’t list an attorney for Alston.