Police say Plum woman was drunk in O'Hara crash that killed Pittsburgh man, endangered her 7-month-old

Allegheny County Police say a Plum woman drove drunk, with her 7-month-old in the back seat, when she was involved in a crash in January that killed a 74-year-old man in O’Hara.

Alyssa J. Galiano, 29, turned herself in Friday morning after an arrest warrant was issued.

She faces felony charges of vehicular homicide, aggravated assault by vehicle and endangering the welfare of a child, along with misdemeanor or summary counts of involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and reckless driving. She was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, awaiting arraignment.

Allegheny County Police detectives and its collision reconstruction unit investigated following the two-vehicle accident Jan. 16 that killed Michael Vernon of Pittsburgh, according to court documents.

Detectives determined Galiano was driving northbound on Freeport Road, about a half-mile from its intersection with Powers Run Road, when her vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, a criminal complaint said. Galiano struck a vehicle operated by Maria Vernon, 68, around 6:20 p.m.

Galiano was driving about 75 mph — about 20 mph above the speed limit — at the time of the crash, the complaint said.

Maria Vernon was driving Michael Vernon to UPMC St. Margaret hospital for treatment at the time of the crash.

Both Vernons were transported to UPMC Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh. Maria was treated for a spleen injury and a fractured leg, the complaint said.

Michael Vernon died from blunt force injuries to the head and neck, police said.

Galiano was transported to UPMC Presbyterian hospital for injuries suffered in the crash. Her 7-month-old, who was secured in a child safety seat in the back seat, was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for evaluation.

Galiano told a police officer she had been drinking that day, the complaint said. She told officers multiple times that she was going to lose her baby, police said.

Galiano, an employee of LEO Academy for Early Education, a day care in Blawnox, met a friend at Nox’s Tavern and Grille about three hours before the crash, according to the complaint. The bar, on Blaw Avenue in Blawnox, is about 2 miles from the crash scene.

Police said security camera footage shows Galiano drinking four beers before leaving shortly before 6:10 p.m. Her blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident was nearly 0.3%, according to the complaint. A driver is considered drunk in Pennsylvania with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08%.

A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the county’s police tip line at 833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.