A Mt. Washington man whose cousin was killed when she was thrown from his car in a drunk-driving crash pleaded guilty Wednesday in her death.
Russell Page, 29, will spend 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail.
Page was charged in the March 2, 2024, crash near the West End Bridge that killed Eonna D. Page, 25, and injured five others.
He pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, 10 counts of reckless endangerment, driving under the influence, speeding and failure to stop at a red light.
According to the criminal complaint, Page drove his mother’s red 2019 GMC SUV through the traffic light at Saw Mill Run Boulevard and West Carson Street around 2:35 a.m. when he was struck by a Hyundai SUV.
Page’s vehicle went partially airborne, and a rear door was ripped off, throwing his cousin out.
Police said she landed on the roadway and was struck by Page’s vehicle and crushed against a concrete barrier.
Page’s SUV also struck a Tesla sedan.
According to the criminal complaint, after the crash, Page asked another of his passengers who was driving.
“‘You were driving,’” the passenger replied.
Police said Page’s blood alcohol level was 0.172% — more than twice the legal limit for driving.
Investigators said Page also tested positive for the chemical found in marijuana. Marijuana blunts were found in his vehicle.
An event data recorder in Page’s SUV showed that he reached 72.8 mph in the moments before the crash and did not apply the brakes.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Elliot Howsie ordered Page to serve four years probation following his incarceration and perform 175 hours of community service.
At the hearing Wednesday, according to defense attorney Ken Haber, information was presented that Page and his cousin were raised together and were more like brother and sister or best friends.
Page has his own concrete business and said he would like to help raise his cousin’s children when he is released from custody, Haber said.
“He’s a really good person who made a really bad choice, and the worst thing happened,” Haber said.