The preliminary hearing for a Smicksburg man charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence has been set for next week.
32-year-old Joshua Brink is accused of driving off Barnard Road in West Mahoning Township last Friday evening, overcorrecting to get back onto the road, but crossing over and off the other side, where his SUV went up an embankment and struck 52-year-old Douglas Dalessio, who was mowing grass on his lawn tractor. After his vehicle stopped in some bushes, police say Brink fled the scene. Dalessio was flown to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh but died later that night.
In addition to homicide by vehicle with DUI, Brink is charged with three other felonies: aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury, and the same offense while not properly licensed. He is also charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence, and with five summary offenses, including having a blood-alcohol content higher than .02 percent, which is more than two times the legal limit.
Brink is in the Indiana County Jail, unable to post $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear before District Judge Robert bell at 11:30 AM on September 8th.
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