Aug 7, 2025 2 min read

A North Strabane Township man will stand trial for his role in a fatal crash last October.

Gregory Richard Gold, 57, had a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge James Saieva. According to online court records, Saieva held all charges for common pleas court.

The case stems from an Oct. 25 crash at the intersection of Route 19 and Demar Boulevard.

Charging documents state that around 11 p.m., Gold was driving north on Route 19, crossed two lanes and crashed into a vehicle waiting to turn left onto Demar.

Michael Fayad, the driver, was declared dead at the scene. Deanna Fayad, his wife, was in the front passenger seat and was flown by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh with brain injuries, six broken ribs, an injured tailbone and a lacerated spleen.

Michael Fayad, 51, of Oakdale, died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Court records state that the collision pushed the Fayads’ vehicle into a southbound vehicle occupied by Arden and Kaylee Bartos, causing Kaylee Bartos to injure her ankle.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators believe that Gold struck the cement barrier on Route 19 about nine seconds before the crash, drove over the cement traffic island, turned to the far-right lane and rapidly back to the far-left lane where the crash occurred.

He was allegedly driving 74 mph at the time of the crash, according to court records.

Gold told police at the scene he had “several” gin and tonic drinks at a Washington bar before the accident. He had his blood drawn at Canonsburg Hospital at about 12:45 a.m., and had a blood-alcohol content of 0.073%, according to court records.

Nicole Neighbors, who was a passenger in Gold’s vehicle, told investigators that Gold has a condition that causes him to pass out when he coughs, and that prior to the crash he had coughed and gone quiet. According to the complaint, Neighbors called his name and reached for the steering wheel.

Gold faces felony charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, as well as misdemeanors of reckless endangerment and involuntary manslaughter. He is also charged with several summary traffic violations.

Online court records indicate he is scheduled for formal arraignment at the Washington County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Sept. 25.

Gold is free on a $500,000 unsecured bond.