New Kensington man pleads guilty in fatal 2018 crash in Plum

A New Kensington man pleaded guilty Tuesday to homicide by vehicle for a 2018 crash in Plum that killed a 90-year-old woman.

Richard Stutz, 44, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Flaherty on April 17. Stutz also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault by vehicle.

According to Assistant District Attorney Kate Robb, Stutz was driving near the intersection of Coxcomb Hill and Logans Ferry roads in Plum on June 15, 2018, when he struck a red Toyota Prius that was driving in front of him and trying to make a left turn.

The driver of the car, Jean Armany of Shaler, was severely injured and has undergone multiple surgeries, as well as hospitalization and rehab, the prosecutor said.

Her mother, Olga Kocon, who was the front-seat passenger, died from her injuries two days later.

According to Robb, Stutz was driving his Ford Edge SUV at speeds in excess of 60 mph less than one second before the crash.

The vehicle’s data recorder showed the gas pedal was being depressed 100% of the way.

Both of the cars involved in the crash rolled multiple times.

When interviewed about the crash, Stutz told police he was traveling behind the Prius when he realized it was stopping to turn.

At that point, he claimed, his GPS unit fell on the floor beneath the brake, preventing him from stopping, the complaint said. He told police he then tried to go around the Prius.

However, investigators said evidence inside the car didn’t match Stutz’s story and the GPS unit was found wedged between the windshield and the dashboard.