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City police have filed charges against McKeesport's solicitor in connection with a Jan. 22 traffic accident.

According to records in Allegheny County Night Court, J. Jason Elash, 40, faces a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi Jr. on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving an uninsured vehicle and speeding. A hearing date has not been set.

Court records indicate the charges were filed Friday by city police Officer Joseph Stepansky.

Last month, Police Chief Bryan Washowich told the Almanac that Elash was driving a 2004 Cadillac SUV early on the morning of Jan. 22 when it went out of control on Route 48 and collided with a building at 716 Long Run Road.

Elash was taken by ambulance to UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, and his SUV was towed from the scene.

The new charges are not the first time Elash's driving record has come under scrutiny. Court records indicate that in August 2003, White Oak police charged Elash with careless driving, driving without a license, tailgating and failure to yield after an incident in the borough.

Those charges were dismissed in March 2004 following a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Thomas Miller Jr. in White Oak, according to court records.

Elash served as the city's chief legal counsel for seven years under former Mayor Jim Brewster, but was removed at the end of 2010 by then-Mayor Regis McLaughlin. After several months of disagreement between McLaughlin and council, the Plum Borough law firm of Bruce Dice and Associates was appointed to serve as the city's solicitors.

At the recommendation of new Mayor Mike Cherepko, council by 7-0 vote reappointed Elash in January, "subject to" acceptance of "working procedures" between the mayor, council and the city administrator.

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