Millcreek woman waives hearing in fatal crash

This article was originally published by Tim Hahn on GoErie.com on November 7, 2017

A Millcreek Township woman accused of causing the death of a pedestrian in an April crash in the township faces trial after waiving the criminal charges against her to court on Tuesday.

Saveria M. Russo, 27, waived her preliminary hearing before Millcreek Township District Judge Paul Manzi on Tuesday morning on charges of accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, careless driving-unintentional death, driving under suspension and failure to stop and give information or render aid.

Russo remains free on unsecured bond.

Millcreek police filed the charges on Sept. 6 following an investigation into the crash, which happened shortly after 2 a.m. on April 16 in the 3200 block of West 38th Street. Police charge that Russo was driving a vehicle that struck 84-year-old Millcreek resident Neil Schmalenbach as Schmalenbach was walking along the road. Investigators said Russo’s vehicle dragged Schmalenbach before the vehicle fled the scene.

Schmalenbach was taken to UPMC Hamot, where he was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m. on April 16, according to the Erie County Coroner’s Office.

Russo came forward to Millcreek police later in the day to provide information on her involvement in the crash, according to investigators.

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