Police: Man driving 118 mph in fatal crash

Jacob Posey is charged with homicide by vehicle in the March 16 death of Tori Demo.

A Fayette City man is accused of driving 118 mph when he crashed into another vehicle on Interstate 70, resulting in a March 16 crash that claimed the life of an Allenport woman.

Jacob M. Posey, 23, was arraigned Friday morning on charges of homicide by vehicle, speeding, careless driving, driving on roadways laned for traffic, overtaking the vehicle on the right, following too closely and duty to give information and render aid after the crash. The charges stemmed from an investigation by state police at the Belle Vernon barracks.

According to the criminal complaint, Tori L. Demo, 25, was traveling east in her 2004 Toyota Camry on I-70 near the Arnold City exit shortly after 8 a.m. when her car was struck from behind by Posey’s Ram 2500 pickup truck, causing her to crash.

One witness, who was behind the truck coming from Harmony Church Road to the 1-70 Arnold exit, said the truck was blowing black smoke out its exhaust and Posey was “driving like an (expletive),” according to the criminal complaint.

The witness observed dust and debris as he rounded the curve to see the Toyota disabled in the left lane with extensive damage from the crash, court records state. He then checked on the crash and found Demo, the sole occupant, alive in the driver’s seat.

Another witness stated the truck was going too fast in the left lane. As the truck approached the Toyota, Demo attempted to move into the right lane, but Posey tried to pass on the right at the same time and hit the Toyota, the complaint states.

The Toyota hit the guide rail, rolled multiple times and came to rest side up facing east in the left lane. The second witness went to check on Demo because the car was leaking fuel.

Both witnesses tried to help Demo out of the vehicle, but the vehicle went up in flames with Demo inside before they were able to get her out, according to the criminal complaint.

Rostraver Central firefighters extinguished the fire. Rostraver-West Newton Emergency Services, Pennsylvania State Police as well as its Forensic Services Unit, CARS Unit and the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office were also present.

Demo, who was wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead around 9:30 a.m., according

to an autopsy performed March 18 by pathologist Jennifer Hammers. Demo “most likely” had significant blunt force trauma.

Demo’s funeral arrangements were handled by the Spallino Funeral Home in Charleroi. Funds were raised on a GoFundMe page for the funeral, and as of Friday, $15,300 had been collected.

Police said Posey told them he got onto the Arnold City ramp, claiming he was in the right lane and the Toyota was in the left lane.

Posey, who was not injured in the crash, said the Toyota cut him off and pushed him into the guide rail, according to court records.

He said he wasn’t sure how fast he was going — telling officers he was going 70 mph and didn’t check his speedometer. He did not attempt to check on Demo in the Toyota, according to police.

According to the criminal complaint, a search warrant was obtained by Magisterial District Judge John Christner’s office and the truck’s Event Data Recorder showed that the vehicle had been traveling at 118 mph — “over double the speed limit of the roadway,” which was 55 mph, the complaint states.

Posey was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. He faces a preliminary hearing at 10:15 a.m. July 29 before Magisterial District Judge John Christner.