Steelers, Pitt sports radio broadcaster Bill Hillgrove charged with DUI in Murrysville

Murrysville police this week charged Steelers Radio Network personality and University of Pittsburgh sports radio announcer Bill Hillgrove with drunken driving, according to a criminal complaint.

Hillgrove, 80, received a DUI charge at his Murrysville home after he crashed into Ferri’s ShurSave supermarket located along Old William Penn Highway, breaking two windows in the building, police reported.

According to officials, Hillgrove, who is a regular at the store, was pulling into a parking spot Monday when he drove directly into the windows. A store manager told police Hillgrove went inside to fill a prescription. He then got back into his Honda CR-V, which had damage and scratches on the bumper, and left, officials said.

A witness, who identified Hillgrove, said he was “weaving on the sidewalk” when he got out of his vehicle.

Hillgrove did not respond to calls for comment from the Tribune-Review.

Following the incident at Ferri’s, police officers went to his Jude Court home. They found Hillgrove in his kitchen.

After asking if Hillgrove had been drinking, he responded he “had a couple beers” at Bella Luna in Murrysville. When asked what happened at Ferri’s, Hillgrove responded, “That car just got away from me. I’m telling you that car just got away from me.”

Hillgrove told police he was not asked to show insurance information on scene, noting that he did not have his insurance card available because he was driving a dealer vehicle. Hillgrove added, according to the complaint, that a store employee said similar incidents happen all the time.

After consenting to a breathalyzer test, Hillgrove was found to have a blood alcohol level of at least 0.16%, the complaint reads, twice the legal limit in Pennsylvania.

Officers attempted a field sobriety test, which Hillgrove was unable to complete due to a medical condition.

Hillgrove agreed to submit a chemical test of his blood.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11 before District Judge Charles Conway.

Hillgrove started working at the University of Pittsburgh in 1969 and joined Steelers Radio Network in 1994. He also served as sports director at WTAE-TV in 1978.

Officials with the University of Pittsburgh declined to comment. Officials with Steelers Radio Network did not immediately respond to questions for comment.