Charges filed in fatal West Mifflin crash
A Pittsburgh man had illegal drugs in his system and was driving a stolen truck down a West Mifflin road at 91 mph last month when he crashed and killed another driver, according to a criminal complaint filed in court Thursday.
West Mifflin police charged Keith Scherba Jr., 40, of the city’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood in the July 11 death of Shelly Hunter, 60, of Whitaker.
Scherba is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault by vehicle, three counts of DUI, two counts of accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, driving while operating privileges are suspended, careless driving, reckless driving and failure to stop/ render aid stemming from the alleged traffic incident.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the crash at the intersection of Lebanon Church and Buttermilk Hollow roads happened around 6:30 a.m.
Scherba allegedly stole a white 2023 Chevrolet Silverado truck with a trailer, owned by Crews Control LLC in downtown Pittsburgh prior to the crash, according to the criminal complaint.
Scherba was driving at a high rate of speed up Mifflin Road before continuing onto Buttermilk Hollow Road, court records state, after it was documented from witness accounts and video footage. The GPS data indicated that the vehicle was traveling at approximately 91 mph roughly 600 feet from the crash.
According to the criminal complaint, he failed to stop at a red light and hit Hunter in her 2022 Chevrolet Equinox SUV from the rear, propelling Hunter’s vehicle into the car in front of her. He hit another victim on the Birmingham Bridge right before the accident, according to police.
Scherba was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital due to injuries from the collision, it was found that his license was suspended due to a DUI and he tested positive for marijuana. He said at the hospital that he did not know what caused the crash, court records state. He stated he took drugs, drank and partied the night before, said he did not take his prescribed medication for paranoid schizophrenia for several days and when asked why he was driving so fast, he replied “because I’m crazy.”
The driver of the vehicle in front of Hunter also suffered injuries — including three broken ribs, a concussion, a contusion on her head and bruising.
Scherba had not been arraigned as press time Thursday.
Victim worked two jobs
Hunter’s family said she left “a legacy of fierce love, tireless hard work and quiet generosity” in an online obituary.
Hunter balanced two jobs to provide for her family, the obituary said. She raised three sons and adopted a fourth when he was a teenager.
Hunter’s work ethic was “relentless,” her family said in the obituary. “Yet, no matter how busy or tired she was, Shelly’s door and heart were always open.”
Hunter’s family did not respond Thursday to phone calls seeking comment.
A Munhall funeral home held services for Hunter July 19. She was buried in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh.
Trib Total Media contributed to this story.
