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Man tried to pin fatal motorcycle crash on relatives, police say

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — Allegheny County police said the man accused of causing a fatal motorcycle crash in Monroeville Sunday morning tried to get relatives to take the blame.

Police charged Fremont Mathias, 32, of Monroeville with homicide by vehicle, an accident involving death while not properly licensed, driving with a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving and other crimes.

According to the criminal complaint, Mathias’ was driving his Ford F-150 truck on Hochberg Road about 9 a.m. when he veered into the oncoming lane, striking motorcyclist Lawrence Matvey.

Matvey, 69, of Monroeville, was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

A lifelong Harley rider, Barry Bioni said he knows how treacherous Western Pennsylvania’s roads are, but called the death of his good friend, Matvey, deeply disturbing.

“He was a skilled rider. There a no question about it. A cautious rider I might add,” said Bioni.

Witnesses told investigators Mathias walked to his home near the scene of the crash afterward, admitted to hitting the man and tried to get his wife and mother to tell police they caused the collision.

Mathias is being held at Allegheny County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond, online court records show. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 12.

Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.