Man Taken Into Custody In Connection With Crash That Killed Ligonier Twp. Officer
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man has been taken into custody in connection with a crash that killed a Ligonier Township Police lieutenant earlier this year.
On May 5, Lt. Eric Eslary, 40, was killed when his patrol SUV was hit by a van driving the wrong way on Route 30 shortly before 2 a.m.
Eslary's K-9 partner, Blek, was also badly hurt in the crash.
According to search warrant paperwork, four first responders to the scene of the crash reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol on the breath of the suspect, Clair Fink III.
On Thursday, Fink was taken into custody and charged in the crash.
Contrite, the 34-year-old Fink walked into his preliminary hearing in tears.
"I'm very sorry. There's no words that can be said," Fink said. "I regret… there's no words."
The search warrant also reports that investigators found an empty 16-ounce beer can in the eastbound lane of the road at the crash scene, and another can was found in the van Fink was driving.
Just before the accident, at the intersection where it happened, the passenger in the van said Fink made a left turn and he told him "that his driving was 'scary,'" the court paperwork said.
Also at the hearing was Lt. Eslary's widow, Mary Beth.
"I have full faith in the system and the troopers handling the investigation have been outstanding, and I know that justice is going to be served soon."
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