Pittsburg, PA
Driver admits to murdering girl, man in Pittsburg DUI crash
MARTINEZ — A Bay Space man pleaded no contest to murdering a person and younger woman in a 2021 drunk driving crash in Pittsburg, and can be formally sentenced to life in jail subsequent month.
Christian Ricardo Vargas, 26, killed 7-year-old Sela Mataele-Rosalez and 28-year-old Romero Castro in a Pittsburg crash that additionally injured Sela’s mom and her two brothers, 6, and three. Vargas was on probation for a previous DUI conviction on the time of the crash, authorities mentioned.
Prosecutors charged Vargas with murdering Sela and Castro and injuring 5 victims who survived the crash. He was additionally charged with committing a DUI inside 10 years of a previous DUI offense.
The prior DUI offense would have given prosecutors a significant benefit had the case gone to trial; below state regulation, drunk driving homicide prosecutions should set up that the defendant was intoxicated and knew his or her actions have been harmful to human life. When individuals obtain DUI convictions they’re formally admonished that they may have killed somebody, making a paper path that can be utilized in opposition to them in the event that they drive drunk once more.
The April 12, 2021 crash occurred at about 6 p.m. on West Leland Highway, east of John Henry Johnson Parkway. Investigators mentioned a Toyota Corolla pushed by Castro and a Chevrolet Camaro pushed by Vargas have been each in eastbound lanes when the Camaro, touring at excessive pace, rear-ended the Corolla.
Castro, the Corolla’s driver, misplaced management and struck a number of timber, authorities mentioned; he was pronounced lifeless on the scene and an grownup passenger suffered main accidents. The three kids have been ejected from the Corolla’s again seat: Sela, in addition to the 2-year-old, who was in a automobile seat, and the 5-year-old.
Nearly precisely a yr after the crash, final April 7, Vargas pleaded no contest to homicide and drunk driving costs, court docket data present. He’s scheduled to be formally sentenced to 21 years to life on Could 6, earlier than Superior Court docket Choose Charles “Ben” Burch.
Vargas has been in Contra Costa County jail for the reason that costs have been filed final yr.
A busy fall for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson has come to a close.
Team USA wrapped its run in the WBSC Premier12 with a 6-1 win over Venezuela to win the bronze medal on Saturday. They also beat Venezuela 6-5 in the Super Round of the Premier12 on Friday and wrapped up the tournament going 2-2.
Chinese Taipei shut out Japan in the championship game 4-0 to win the Premier12 and hand them their first loss in international play since 2019. Team USA lost to Japan 9-1 and Chinese Taipei 8-2.
Johnson went 1-4 with one run scored and a walk and one strikeout on Saturday. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, the Pirates’ left-handed hitting middle infield prospect singled to center field with one out in the top of the sixth inning. He stole second base, then came around to score with two outs on an infield single from Tampa Bay Rays left-handed hitting outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.
Team USA went 5-4 in the Premier12. In the previous Premier12, the US finished in fourth place.
Johnson struck out and walked in his next two at-bats. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 75 prospect in baseball hit .310/.414/.429 with one home run and two RBIs in nine games. He also walked six times and struck out nine times.
Before playing in the WBSC Premier12, Johnson played in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting prospect batted .250/.444/.475 with one home run and four RBIs across 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He also walked 14 times and scored nine runs.
Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh spent time with High-A Greensboro (110 games) and Double-A Altoona (14 games) in 2024. He batted .237/.366/.386 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in his 124 games played.
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.
Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.
The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.
“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.
She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.
“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”
Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.
“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”
HOMESTEAD, Pa. (KDKA) — One man has died after a house caught fire in Homestead on Saturday.
Allegheny County 911 was notified of a fire in the 100 block of West 12th Avenue just before 11:30 a.m.
First responders found an elderly man trapped inside the second floor of the residence. Firefighters were able to get the man out of the home, and he was transported to an area hospital, where he later died, according to a news release from the Allegheny County Police Department.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
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