Category: News || By Jason Togyer
Court administrators have scheduled a Dec. 19 trial for the city's solicitor in connection with a January car crash on Route 48.
The non-jury trial for J. Jason Elash, 41, of McKeesport is slated for 8:30 a.m. before Common Pleas Court Judge Ed Borkowski.
Elash is charged by McKeesport police with three related counts of driving under the influence of alcohol as well as a moving violation. A charge of driving without insurance has been withdrawn.
Court documents indicate that following the crash, Elash had a blood-alcohol content more than twice the state's 0.08 legal limit, and that if he is convicted, it would be his second DUI offense.
According to police, Elash was traveling south on Route 48 early on the morning of Jan. 22 when his 2004 Cadillac SUV went out of control on a curve, left the highway and struck an office building at 716 Long Run Road.
Elash was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash and was hospitalized following the crash.
According to published reports, the accident occured hours after Elash left an inauguration party for Mayor Michael Cherepko. Elash has been the city solicitor since Jan. 1, and previously served as solicitor for seven years under former Mayor Jim Brewster.
Elash remains free on his own recognizance pending trial, court officials said.