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Charges Filed 3 Months After Teacher Dies In I-79 Hit-And-Run

POSTED: 11:41 am EDT October 15, 2007
UPDATED: 5:46 pm EDT October 15, 2007

PITTSBURGH -- After a three-month investigation, police have filed charges in the accident that killed a local elementary school teacher.

Renee Parkinson, 26, of Callery, Butler County, died on the Fourth of July after her car was hit from behind by another driver along Interstate 79 near the Warrendale exit in Marshall Township.

Parkinson taught music and voice classes at Fawn Elementary School in Natrona Heights, in the Highlands School District.

State police charged Matthew Crowson, 25, of Brownsville, Fayette County, with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, speeding and leaving the scene of a crash.

Investigators said Crowson was driving 101 mph, driving under the influence and then left the scene of the accident. He was found in a wooded lot not far from the crash site, police said.

According to police, the impact was so severe that it sent Parkinson's car over a hillside, ejecting her.

Crowson's bail was set at $200,000.

He faces a preliminary hearing on Oct. 24.

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