Pittsburgh-area woman sentenced to 3-6 years after pleading guilty to driving drunk, killing pedestrian

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- A woman was sentenced to three to six years in prison after pleading guilty to driving drunk and killing a pedestrian in Ross Township earlier this year. 

Erin Petroski pleaded guilty to charges of homicide by vehicle, DUI and accident involving death or personal injury in the death of Elizabeth Griser, the Ross Township Police Department announced on Monday. 

Griser was hit and killed on Babcock Boulevard near Sheetz the night of Jan. 13. Police said several people stopped to help but the driver kept going.

According to the criminal complaint, police used traffic cameras and license plate readers to track down the car involved. 

While an officer was talking to Petroski, the criminal complaint said he noticed her eyes were glossed over and bloodshot. Investigators said her blood alcohol content was .110%. 

Police said they learned from interviews that Petroski was at Hal's Bar and Grill nearby before the crash.

Police said data from the time of the crash showed Petroski was going almost 45 mph in a 35 mph zone while it was dark and snowing, and brakes weren't used any time before the crash. 

Good Samaritans called 911 and a volunteer firefighter started doing CPR. Griser was taken to the hospital but died. 

Griser's family remembered her as "a good-hearted soul" who died too soon. 

A judge sentenced Petroski to three to six years in prison followed by five years probation. 

Police said the guilty plea came through the work of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.