Westmoreland County prosecutors dismissed a charge of drug delivery resulting in death in connection with the fatal overdose of a Greensburg man who died in 2023.
Hugh Hawkey, 49, of Greensburg, pleaded guilty Tuesday to lesser drug-related counts after a Westmoreland County judge ruled in favor of the defense’s challenge of key evidence in the case.
Hawkey was charged last year in connection with the Aug. 27, 2023, overdose of 43-year-old Eric Cummings. Cummings was discovered unresponsive and toxicology reports determined he died from a overdose of fentanyl and animal sedative xylazine, according to court records.
Police said Hawkey was with Cummings prior to the overdose and a prosecution witness claimed Hawkey purchased the drugs that led to Cummings’ death.
Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Stewart II ruled in favor of the defense, which claimed there was insufficient evidence to prove Hawkey provided the drugs that Cummings used before he died.
Prosecutors then dismissed the two most serious charges against Hawkey and allowed him to plead guilty to lesser drug-related counts and ordered he serve one year, less a day, to two, years less a day, in the county jail, and an additional five years on probation.
Hawkey was given credit for the more than 370 days he has served in jail following his arrest and will be released to a treatment program once he is evaluated for drug and alcohol addiction, the judge said.
