McKees Rocks woman convicted in fatal 10th Street Bypass wreck
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A McKees Rocks woman was convicted Friday of involuntary manslaughter and other charges stemming from a crash last year that killed a Crescent man.
Desiree Nelson, 41, will be sentenced Oct. 4.
On May 12, 2018, Nelson was speeding on the 10th Street Bypass in Downtown Pittsburgh when she lost control of her SUV, according to the criminal complaint filed against her. Nelson was going 68 mph in the 35 mph zone.
Nelson clipped the bumper of another vehicle while she was making a lane change, police said. She then spun across the road into oncoming traffic and crashed into a Toyota Corolla driven by Michael Markilinski, 61.
Nelson’s SUV flipped and landed on its roof, according to the complaint. Markilinski died at Allegheny General Hospital following the crash.
Nelson told investigators later she did not know what happened to cause the crash. She was wearing a seatbelt. Children in her SUV were in seatbelts and carseats. They all suffered minor injuries.
Information in Nelson’s SUV showed how fast she was traveling before the crash and that she did not apply the brakes.
Common Pleas Judge Alex Bicket convicted her of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of recklessly endangering another person. She was acquitted on one count of homicide by vehicle.
A sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 2. She remains free on bail.