The Fayette County EMS Assistant Director of Operations is in custody, accused of causing a crash and fleeing the scene.

Matthew McKnight, 46, of Connellsville, is accused of speeding and leaving the scene of the crash at the intersection of East End Road and Memorial Boulevard. State Police said they were called to the scene of the three-vehicle crash just after 10:30 p.m.  

Two drivers, 67-year-old Martin Halfhill and 76-year-old James Blackburn, both also from Connellsville, were stopped in their vehicles in the left-hand turning lane at Memorial Boulevard, State Police said.

While stopped, State Police say McKnight's speeding Dodge Ram pickup slammed into the back of Blackburn's minivan, pushing it forward into Halfhill's SUV. Police say McKnight was driving under the influence.

"We have an expectation," Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele said of the incident. "That does not reflect on any other emergency responder, police officer, firefighter, EMS person in this county that does a remarkable job every single day. This is an isolated incident. We will prosecute this matter to the fullest extent of the law."

Blackburn was severely injured in the crash and flown from the scene by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, State Police said. He remains in critical condition.

"We're obviously thinking about James Blackburn right now and his family. We're praying for him and hoping that he heals," Aubele said.

State Police said McKnight left the scene after the crash, but troopers later found his pickup parked near his home. It has "extensive front-end damage consistent with the crash," investigators said.

"Regardless of your situation, whether you're DUI or not, if you cause an accident, you have an obligation to stop and render aid to the person that you have hit," Aubele said. "You could be the person that saved somebody's life, and by leaving the scene, you're not only trying to evade responsibility, but you could be causing somebody's death."

Fayette County EMS Chief Rick Adobato confirmed to KDKA-TV on Sunday afternoon that McKnight had been suspended with immediate effect.

State Police and the Fayette County District Attorney's Office are continuing the investigation and McKnight is due in court in late August for a preliminary hearing.