Arnold man impaired by alcohol, marijuana in crash that seriously hurt 2 in New Kensington, police say

An Arnold man had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit and tested positive for marijuana after a crash in New Kensington in which two people in another vehicle were seriously hurt, according to New Kensington police.

Police charged Brett Matthew Hedeen, 32, on Thursday with felony aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle and misdemeanor counts of DUI.

Hedeen was arraigned Monday morning, according to court records. New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. set Hedeen’s bail at $40,000, and he was sent to the Westmoreland County Jail.

Hedeen did not have an attorney listed in court records. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19.

The crash happened around 2:35 a.m. Nov. 1 at Freeport and Elmtree roads, near Mary Queen of Apostles School.

Hedeen was driving a Jeep SUV that crossed into the oncoming lane and hit a Chevrolet SUV, police said in a criminal complaint.

Traffic camera footage from seconds before the crash shows Hedeen’s Jeep failing to stop for a red light at Freeport and Tarentum Bridge roads. It then proceeds south on Freeport Road, appearing to be exceeding the posted speed limit, the complaint states.

The driver of the Chevrolet had a broken left arm and heavy bleeding from his left leg with an exposed bone, according to the complaint. The passenger, a woman, was flown to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh.

When an officer made contact with Hedeen, he noticed a strong smell of alcohol, police said in the complaint. Hedeen gave an officer his medical marijuana card while trying to find his driver’s license.

Hedeen agreed to a blood test and was taken to AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, the complaint says. He also was treated for injuries from the crash.

According to blood test results received Nov. 13, Hedeen had a blood-alcohol level of 0.205% and THC, the active chemical in marijuana, was detected, the complaint states. Pennsylvania law prohibits driving with any level of THC in the blood.