Avalon man on trial for 2018 crash that killed McKeesport teen

Tom Davidson | Wednesday, June 19, 2019 12:58 p.m.

A non-jury trial started Wednesday for an Avalon man accused of causing a 2018 crash that killed a McKeesport teen.

Robert L. Darrisaw Jr., 23, of Avalon, is facing charges including homicide by vehicle while drunken driving, according to a criminal complaint.

Darrisaw told police he didn’t remember the early morning crash on Sept. 23 at the intersection of Lebanon Church Road and MacArthur Drive in West Mifflin.

Marlee Anne Hill, 19, a passenger in the car that Darrisaw’s vehicle crashed into, was killed. Its driver, another passenger in the car and Darrisaw were hurt in the crash, police said.

Darrisaw told police he had been drinking at a birthday party and on a party bus before the crash. His blood alcohol level was .163 percent, more than double the legal limit of .08 percent, according to police.

The case is being heard by Allegheny County Judge Thomas Flaherty.