Driver charged in Christmas Eve hit-and-run death in Westmoreland County

EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man has been arrested in the Christmas Eve hit-and-run death of a pedestrian who was running with his dog in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania State Police said Sunday.

Investigators said 29-year-old Matthew James Ramsay was driving the car that struck 49-year-old Joseph Cummins, of Mount Pleasant. The crash was reported about 2:30 p.m. Saturday on Ruffs Dale-Alverton Road in East Huntingdon Township.

Ramsay, of New Stanton, confessed to the crash, according to an affidavit obtained by TribLIVE. He is facing several charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.

The affidavit states Ramsay had taken methadone at 9 a.m. Saturday. Ramsay and his passenger told investigators that Ramsay was “weaving on purpose” and that he was unsure of what he had hit and fled the scene. Investigators said he then parked his car at his father's house and covered it with a tarp.

Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE reported that police were led to Ramsay by his passenger and another friend, both of whom received a text message from Ramsay that included a photo of the damaged car.

Cummins was initially taken to Excela Health Frick Hospital, then airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian, where he died, police said.

Cox Media Group