Carnegie man gets 5 to 10 years state prison in fatal DUI crash on Parkway West

A Carnegie man pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing a South Park woman in a 2019 crash in which he was under the influence of drugs.

Aaron Hutchison, 21, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, as well as his fourth DUI offense, and related charges.

As part of a plea agreement, Hutchison will serve five to 10 years in state prison to be followed by 12 years of probation.

According to the criminal complaint, Hutchison was under the influence of marijuana and morphine at the time of the crash.

He was driving a Honda Civic about 2:05 p.m. on March 19, 2019, on I-376 West when he attempted to swerve around traffic while speeding near the Carnegie interchange.

He crashed, and one of his passengers, Victoria Brandt, 19, was ejected. She died a short time later at UPMC Mercy hospital.

According to the police, a witness saw Hutchison trying to get the airbag out of his face right after the crash, then climb out the passenger side window. He then walked toward the exit.

Fifteen minutes later, the Scott Township police chief found Hutchison at the Carnegie GetGo, where he smelled like marijuana, and his face and head were bleeding.

Hutchison initially denied being involved in the crash, but DNA testing later showed that blood on the driver’s side airbag was his.

Hutchison wasn’t charged in the 2019 crash until February.

At the time, he was already serving 18 months in jail stemming from a plea in January to his third felony DUI.

He was previously arrested for DUI on Sept. 26, 2018; Oct. 31, 2018, and Feb. 27, 2020.