McDonald Man Held For Trial On Homicide By Vehicle While DUI Charges

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man charged in a deadly crash is now heading to trial.

Daniel Fleet Jr. was allegedly under the influence and driving the wrong way when he hit another car.

Earlier this month in Robinson Township, police say Fleet drove his Chevy Silverado the wrong way down Route 22, hitting another car head-on and causing a chain-reaction wreck.

Inside the other car, 50-year-old George Jucha died at the scene. He was the owner of a recycling company and an adjunct professor at Pitt.

"For lack of a better word, he's devastated. He doesn't… even begun to comprehend the ramifications. There is a lost life here and there's a family who's grieving, and he is crushed emotionally," said David Shrager, Fleet's attorney. "He is trying to deal with the day-to-day. The guilt and the depression are very strong for him."

On Wednesday, Fleet waived his preliminary hearing so his attorney could take up the issue of bond in Common Pleas Court.

"The reason for that is that the magistrate does not have the jurisdictional authority to address the issues that I want to address regarding my client being sent to an inpatient lockdown treatment facility," said Shrager.

His attorney wants to get Fleet treatment.

"It is my hope and belief that he will be transferred to an inpatient treatment facility. It will be a lockdown facility, similar to a jail, where he can receive treatment for his drinking issue," said Shrager.

Fleet is charged with several felonies, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and aggravated assault.

"Right now he will remain in the Washington County Jail. We will have a hearing early next week," said Shrager.

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