Kiski Township police accuse Swissvale man of running stop sign, killing couple on motorcycle

Kiski Township police accused a Swissvale man of killing an Indiana County couple when he ran a stop sign and crashed into their motorcycle.

Michael Arnold Flynn, 32, of the 1300 block of Pocono Street was charged Thursday with two counts each of felony homicide by vehicle, accident involving death or injury and aggravated assault by vehicle.

The charges stem from the July 3, 2022, crash at the intersection of Route 56 and North Balsinger Road.

A warrant has been issued for Flynn’s arrest, according to court documents. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled before District Judge James Andring once Flynn is in custody and has been arraigned.

Police wrote in a criminal complaint that officers responding to the crash shortly after 1 p.m. found a Harley-Davidson motorcycle laying along the side of the roadway.

Investigators said Anthony D. Stasko, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. His wife, Kim Stasko, 64, was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of critical injuries, police said.

She died from her injuries on July 28, 2022, according to the Armstrong County Coroner’s Office. The couple was from Indiana County.

Kiski Township police Chief Lee Bartolicius, who investigated the crash, said a witness reported seeing the blue 2011 Honda CR-V that Flynn was driving cross Route 56 from Balsinger Road without stopping before colliding with the motorcycle.

“These types of investigation are very lengthy in nature. The nature of this case and the severity of the circumstances, including the tragic loss of life, demanded a full and complete investigation,” Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton said in a written statement. “It was necessary for the Pennsylvania State Police to investigate and conduct an accident reconstruction and issue a thorough report, which was necessary prior to filing any decisions with regard to charges in this case.”

Subsequent arrest

On April 14, a state trooper in Pittsburgh charged Flynn with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. He also was issued citations for driving without insurance, following too closely, speeding, careless driving and reckless driving.

Flynn waived his right to a preliminary hearing Aug. 1 before Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, who ordered him to stand trial on the charges in Allegheny County Court. Formal arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 18, court records show.