Defense claims vehicle condition, not drug use, caused fatal Hempfield crash
An hour before a deadly head-on car crash along Arona Road in Hempfield, school secretary Nannette Riles knew something was wrong.
Riles confronted Ahna L. Malik as she dropped off her young daughter at H.W. Good Elementary School in Herminie on March 7, 2022. Moments after Malik drove off, Riles reported the woman’s behavior to authorities.
“She was acting odd and I worried she would not be able to drive. She said she was tired and didn’t get much sleep. She was rocking back and forth, acting hyper and bouncing around,” Riles testified during the first day in Malik’s vehicular homicide trial in Westmoreland County.
Prosecutors contend Malik, 44, of Sewickley, was under the influence of drugs when she attempted to pass two cars as she drove south on Arona Road, pulled into oncoming traffic and struck a northbound vehicle driven by Dawn E. Coyne, 57, of Madison.
Coyne died from injuries she sustained in the crash.
Assistant District Attorney Allen Powanda told jurors toxicology reports determined Malik was under the influence of amphetamines, methamphetamine and marijuana. Police found drugs and drug paraphernalia in the center console of Malik’s vehicle and in her purse.
Malik is charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs, homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related drug and traffic offenses.
According to court records, Malik has a prior criminal history with convictions on drugged and drunken driving offenses.
“When you hear all the evidence, you will find Ms. Malik is guilty of all the charges alleged against her,” Powanda said.
But Assistant Public Defender Jack Manderino said evidence will show neither Malik’s driving nor her drug use caused the crash.
“Her vehicle was in a state of disrepair and she didn’t have the money to fix the steering,” Manderino said during his opening statement to jurors. “The car pulled to one side. There was a substantial impact as she was going into another lane. Her car was in poor condition and could have lurched into the oncoming lane on a windy road.
“It was a tragic accident and we’re very sorry the lady in the other vehicle lost her life, but you cannot be swayed by sympathy.“
The trial will continue on Wednesday.
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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