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Driver in I-70 crash that killed Allenport woman waives case to court

By Mike Jones 2 min read
article image - Ed Riedmann/For the Observer-Reporter
A state police trooper is seen investigating the March 16 crash on Interstate 70 in Rostraver Township that killed 25-year-old Tori Demo of Allenport. Jacob Posey, 23, of Fayette City, was charged with homicide by vehicle after state police said he was speeding in excess of 100 miles per hour when he crashed into the rear of Demo’s car.

A Fayette City man will stand trial on charges he caused an Allenport woman’s death when he crashed into her car while allegedly driving more than twice the speed limit on Interstate 70 in Westmoreland County, causing her vehicle to roll over and catch fire.

Jacob M. Posey, 23, waived to court Monday one felony charge of homicide by vehicle and numerous summary counts in connection with the March 16 crash that killed 25-year-old Tori Demo.

State police said Posey was driving 118 mph in his pickup truck on I-70 in Rostraver Township just before he crashed into Demo’s car while she was moving into the right-hand lane. Witnesses who stopped were unable to pull Demo from the driver’s seat of the car after it was consumed in flames.

Demo died at the scene from smoke inhalation and severe burns across her body, and also suffered “significant” blunt force trauma during the crash, an autopsy revealed. Family members said Demo had just dropped her mother off at a beauty salon in the Mon Valley that morning and was heading to a cleaning job in Uniontown.

Witnesses told police they saw Posey driving erratically when he entered the interstate at the Arnold City interchange and started speeding east before the crash happened about a half-mile down the highway, where the speed limit is 55 mph. Posey stopped his pick-up truck about a quarter-mile from the crash scene, but did not attempt to render aid, police said. State police charged him July 5.

Posey was scheduled to appear Monday morning before District Judge John Christner in Rostraver Township, but waived to court the case against him. He is free on $50,000 unsecured bond while awaiting trial. His formal arraignment at the Westmoreland County Courthouse is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 4.

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