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California truck driver accused of causing fatal I-70 crash: 'My brain shut off'

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — A California man accused of causing a fatal crash on Interstate 70 in Washington County on Saturday appeared in court Tuesday.

Yevgeniy Bugreyev, 44, of West Sacramento, was held on charges of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault.

During the hearing, Bugreyev told the judge that, "My brain shut off."

Police said Bugreyev's truck went through a grass median and slid sideways into oncoming traffic. The tractor-trailer sent a car over a hillside, killing both women inside.

Another car crashed into the truck and four people inside were hurt.

Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone said he thinks Bugreyev fell asleep.

“He may have been asleep at the wheel, but we still need to investigate that,” Vittone said.

The crash killed Kaitlin Babka, 57, and her daughter, 21-year-old Karen Babka, both of Maryland.

“It’s very serious. We have two deaths and we have two people who were flown from the scene,” Vittone said.

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