Scottdale man found guilty in Youngwood Mother's Day crash that injured family

Victoria Schuler and her husband, William, were finally able to smile on Thursday, more than three years after they and their two young children were severely injured in a vehicle crash in Youngwood.

“We’re glad for it,” Victoria Schuler said minutes after Matthew Murphy, 27, was found guilty of all five charges filed against him in connection with the May 8, 2016, wreck on Route 119. “It’s an emotional process, and it’s been a long road.”

Murphy of Scottdale was convicted of three felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle and two misdemeanor charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment. Westmoreland County prosecutors claimed Murphy was speeding as his 2000 Dodge Ram slammed into the rear of the Schulers’ Hyundai Elantra as the Scottdale family headed to church on Mother’s Day.

The impact pushed Schuler’s car forward and into a spin until it hit a concrete barrier in a nearby field and flipped on its roof.

The Schulers’ oldest son, Gavin, then 2, suffered permanent injuries. Their youngest son, Austin, then 1, was in a rear-facing car seat and has mostly recovered.

All four members of the Schuler family were hospitalized. Victoria Schuler and her husband were thrown from the vehicle as they were not using seat belts. Victoria Schuler suffered back and leg injuries. Witnesses said they had to lift the vehicle off her legs. Her husband suffered injuries that included a damaged shoulder.

Murphy was hospitalized after his truck skidded into the parking lot of a nearby shopping plaza. Witnesses said he was disoriented. During the trial, Murphy’s defense suggested he suffered a seizure just prior to the crash.

Murphy, the lone defense witnesses to testify, told jurors Thursday morning he does not remember any details about the crash and has struggled to understand what occurred.

A union carpenter who in 2016 lived with his grandmother, Murphy testified that on Mother’s Day he traveled to Greensburg to pick up picnic tables and chairs for a family gathering later that day.

“I remember getting on (Interstate) 70 in New Stanton in front of the Cracker Barrel, and that’s it,” Murphy said. “The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital seeing my parents.”

Murphy said he had no prior medical issues and after seeing eight doctors in the months after the crash, he still has no medical explanation.

“What you don’t want to accept is it is based on your reckless driving,” Assistant District Attorney Allen Powanda said.

“Correct,” Murphy said.

During the 3-day trial, prosecutors contended Murphy was speeding in the 35 mph zone when his truck struck the car.

A police investigator testified Murphy’s truck was traveling between 71 and 78 mph at the time of impact.

There was no evidence Murphy attempted to apply brakes, investigators said.

In his closing argument, Powanda said there is no medical explanation for the crash.

“It is clear that Mr. Murphy made bad decisions that morning, and he is responsible,” Powanda said.

Defense attorney Brian Aston asked jurors to consider Murphy’s actions and inactions, specifically his failure to attempt to brake. Aston argued there was no criminal intent.

“It’s in the facts of this case that something happened in that truck, and sometimes an accident is just an accident,” Aston said.

After the verdict was announced, Aston said his client could be sentenced to probation or up to nine months in jail for each of the assault counts.

Murphy will continue to remain free on a $25,000 unsecured bond until he is sentenced in about three months by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger.