Allegheny jail guard to serve probation for drunken driving crash in North Huntingdon
An Allegheny County Jail guard pleaded guilty this week to being drunk when he caused a violent crash three years ago in North Huntingdon, injuring another motorist.
Dwight D. Edwards, 52, of Penn Township was charged following the Nov. 14, 2022, crash on Morris Avenue. Police said Edwards’ pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head-on, causing it to careen more than 50 feet before it struck a brick pillar.
Edwards’ truck overturned and traveled more than 30 feet up a hill before it stopped, according to court records.
Police said Edwards told a paramedic he drank beer and did a few shots prior to the crash. Court records indicated Edwards had a blood alcohol content of 0.255% two hours after the crash, more than three times the legal limit for Pennsylvania motorists.
The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized and sustained multiple injuries, including bone fractures, a displaced knee and internal bleeding, according to court records.
Edward pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and reckless endangerment.
As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss one felony count of aggravated assault while drunken driving. In return, Edwards agreed to pay more than $115,000 in restitution to the victim and an insurance company. That payment was made Friday following the court hearing.
The victim, who was not in court for the hearing, consented to the plea deal, prosecutors said.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio imposed terms of the negotiated plea deal that calls for Edwards to serve six months on probation and one month of house arrest.
Published reports indicated Edwards, who has worked at the jail for 25 years and was promoted to the rank of major in 2018, was suspended without pay following his arrest. He said in court Friday that he has since returned to active duty.
A spokesman for Allegheny County in an email declined to comment on Edwards’ employment status.
Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.
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