Wilkins man sentenced in connection with fatal 2024 North Versailles crash

A Wilkins man has been sentenced to less than a week in jail for his role in a fatal crash in early 2024.

Aaron J. Butler, 21, was sentenced last week to three to six days in jail after entering a guilty plea in connection with the April 7, 2024, crash in North Versailles. He also was sentenced to 18 months of probation, community service and a year-long license suspension. In addition, he must take part in a victim impact panel.

Video from a security camera showed Butler’s Pontiac Grand Am weaving in and out of traffic on Fifth Avenue, before turning left onto Crooked Run Road and crashing into a Nissan Versa driven by 66-year-old Tammy Chonko of Duquesne, police said.

Chonko died of her injuries shortly after the crash.

Police said the airbag control module in Butler’s car showed it was traveling at 86 mph just two seconds before the collision, when the brakes were applied.

Blood collected during Butler’s hospital treatment tested positive for marijuana at the time of the crash, according to court records. He was charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, speeding and other traffic violations.

The homicide by vehicle charge was withdrawn, and Butler agreed to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, according to court records. He will serve 18 months of probation. He also pleaded guilty to several traffic violations and driving under the influence, resulting in the jail sentence.

Rebecca Spangler, spokesperson for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, said the case, charges and options were discussed with Chonko’s family prior to the plea deal.

Butler is scheduled to begin serving his sentence on Oct. 10, according to court documents.

An attorney for Butler listed in court records did not return a phone call seeking comment.