PITTSBURGH — A man who was drunk while driving his employer’s van and is charged with third-degree murder for causing a wrong-way crash that killed a western Pennsylvania police lieutenant, made a plea to other drivers after his court date was set.
Clair Fink III, 33, of Ligonier, was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of U.S. Route 30 -- a divide highway about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh -- when he hit Lt. Eric Eslary's patrol SUV head-on at about 2 a.m. on May 5.
The crash killed the 17-year-veteran officer instantly and seriously injured Eslary's K-9 companion, a German shepherd.
The dog, named Blek, has recovered from serious injuries but is not currently performing police work and still lives with Eslary's widow and their six children.
After getting his trial date set Monday, Fink made a plea to drivers across the area.
“College is out. The Fourth of July is here. People, just think about what you do because sometimes you don't think about what you are doing at the time,” Fink said.
Police said that Fink’s blood alcohol level was more than double the state’s legal limit at the time of the accident.
Fink is the first person since 2010 to face third-degree murder charges in a DUI accident, but his lawyer wants to get that charged dismissed.
"With me not being able to see my son, (Eslary’s) kids not ever being able to see their father - just imagine the grief they're going to go through the rest of their lives,” Fink said.
Fink’s trial date has been set for October 3 and a plea deal could still be worked out.
Cox Media Group
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