Lower Burrell woman gets probation, fine for fiery crash in bridge construction zone
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A Lower Burrell woman accused of causing a fiery crash in a work zone while the Tarentum Bridge was closed in June has been sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $1,500 in fines.
Allison Plusquellic, 40, was sentenced during a nonjury trial Wednesday, Feb. 23 before Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Bigley.
Her sentence also includes nine months of electronic monitoring and alcohol and drug counseling. But she will be permitted to leave home for work, medical appointments or to attend educational programs.
Plusquellic was initially charged with 13 offenses. Among them was a felony count of criminal mischief as well as driving under the influence and multiple traffic citations. A number of the charges were withdrawn as part of her plea agreement.
The sentences imposed during Wednesday’s hearing were for a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief and a third offense for driving under the influence. She also pleaded guilty to a count of careless driving in connection with the June 19 crash.
Police say both lanes of the bridge between Tarentum and New Kensington were closed for construction when Plusquellic drove past multiple orange cones and “blinking road closed” signs.
She got about two-thirds of the way across the bridge before crashing into heavy construction equipment, according to investigators.
When police arrived on scene, they found her orange Mitsubishi Eclipse on fire with nobody inside, according to Plusquellic’s arrest papers.
Investigators were able to track the car back to Plusquellic, who they were familiar with, the complaint said.
An officer said he first checked the area near the Marathon gas station in Tarentum before finding Plusquellic “visibly intoxicated” near Nick Chevrolet.
She told the officer “there were no signs” on the bridge even though she hadn’t been told yet why she was being arrested, the complaint said.
Police said an officer took Plusquellic to a hospital emergency room for treatment of rib pain.
But when he left to obtain the search warrant needed to have blood drawn to determine her blood alcohol level, she walked out.
Contractors told investigators that the crash caused more than $200,000 in damage.
Plusquellic’s lawyer Justin Ketchel said the sentence “is a fair resolution.”