Jeannette man gets at least 6 years in prison for fatal Yukon DUI crash

A Jeannette man will serve at least six years in prison for his role in a fatal vehicle crash in March in which his 25-year-old passenger was killed.

Trey L. Cue, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to homicide by vehicle, drunken driving and other offenses in connection with the crash that killed Sarah McDonald of Hempfield.

Police said Cue was drunk and under the influence of cocaine when his vehicle crashed into a parked car on Highway Street in the South Huntingdon village of Yukon shortly before 2 a.m. March 4.

In court on Tuesday, Cue, after prodding from Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway, addressed McDonald’s parents, who were in court to witness his guilty plea.

“I would like to apologize to the family,” Cue said. “I am truly sorry. She was also a friend of mine, and I made a big mistake.”

McDonald’s family members did not speak during the hearing and declined to comment afterwards.

According to court records, Cue had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 %, more than twice the level for a motorist to be considered intoxicated in Pennsylvania. Police said Cue also had cocaine in his system and that, just before the crash, he was speeding, traveling between 69 and 74 mph, when his vehicle struck a car parked on the one-way street.

McDonald was a back seat passenger and died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash, police said.

According to court records, Cue, McDonald and another woman spent the night drinking at several local bars and had just pulled away from the Creekside Saloon in Yukon when the crash occurred.

Police said Cue attempted to hide from officers who responded to the crash scene but was found crouching down behind a wood pile.

Hathaway ordered he serve six to 20 years in prison.

“I’m sure you didn’t do it purposely, but recklessly,” the judge said.

McDonald’s parents this year filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Cue and two local bars, claiming they were responsible for their daughter’s death. According to the pending lawsuit, the McDonalds contend staff at the Creekside Saloon and Johnny’s Wife’s Place in Jeannette should have noticed Cue was visibly intoxicated and refused to serve him alcohol.