Pretty Sad Story...runner killed

its too bad, but this happens every summer. Ive heard of 2-3 case already this summer of this happening

Let us pray......that the driver gets jail time.

What makes you think that the driver is at fault?

Pretty sad though.

Yeah, been a rough couple of weeks for the running family in SWPA. A former runner from Slippery Rock died after jumping from a bridge into the Cheat River in WV last weekend. Been making me feel lucky every time I am out running...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04216/355822.stm

Hoovis

Alex Loos was an incredible young lady. She was the first person from her high school of Bentworth (PA) to qualify for the Pennsylvania state track and field championships. She had just completed her freshman year of high school and broke her (W.P.I.A.L.) district class AA 1600 meter record. She also played high school soccer on the boys team and was one of the better players. It's sad to see this happen to such a good person. As an alum of Bentworth and competitive runner myself... I admired her and I'm sure that legacy that she started will continue for years to come. She will not be forgotten.

MV wrote:

What makes you think that the driver is at fault?

Pretty sad though.

Wasn't the driver driving?

Or did the car have a mind of it's own.

Pray that the driver gets jail time?

Let's pray that runners look before they cross the street.

Cause if they don't I'm going to run right over them.

Driver ordered held for trial in death of teenage track star

By Chris Buckley

VALLEY INDEPENDENT

Thursday, January 6, 2005

A Bentleyville man charged with fatally injuring a Bentworth High School student athlete was ordered held for trial Wednesday on all charges.

Armand James Pistilli Jr., 32, of 402 A. Washington St., faces charges of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, reckless and careless driving, driving with a suspended license and operation of a vehicle without an official inspection sticker.

Police said Pistilli was driving the vehicle that struck Alexzandra Loos, 15, of 101 Ridge Road, Eighty Four, shortly after noon Aug. 11 as she and Sarah Fields, 16, of 621 Lincoln Ave., Bentleyville, were walking along state Route 2010 in Somerset Township. Loos was flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she died the following evening.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, state police believe tire marks at the scene of the accident indicate the vehicle was traveling between 72 and 77 miles per hour at the time of the accident. The posted speed limit in that area is 40 miles per hour.

According to the affidavit, Pistilli told police he was traveling 45 to 50 miles per hour at the time of the accident, but a passenger in the car, Chad Paul Coyle, told police, "I wasn't looking at the speedometer, but we were moving pretty good."

Pistilli remains free after posting $25,000 cash bond on the condition he not get behind the wheel of any vehicle.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Lucas said a formal arraignment should be held in the next two to three months and the case likely will go to trial by the fall.

About 30 family members, some seen crying, were in the courtroom in Central Court in Washington, Pa., where a preliminary hearing had been scheduled.

A track star as a freshman last year, Loos finished third in the 1,600-meter run and fifth in the 800-meter run in the PIAA Class AA track and field championship at Shippensburg University.

She also won the WPIAL 1,600-meter run with a record time of 5:13.80

Chris Buckley can be reached at

or (724) 684-2642.

Wayne B wrote:

Let us pray......that the driver gets jail time.

Not enough jail time if you ask me.

This year's Race for Alex (5-mile and 2-mile) will be held on June 3 in Bentleyville, PA. Information is available at:

Click on the "Welcome" sign

Just some more info on this girl, she finished 3rd in the 1600 and 5th in the 800 at the Pennsylvania state meet as a freshman, before being killed by a convicted drunk driver.

Washington County

Man pleads guilty in fatal crash

A man who repeatedly drove although his license had been suspended pleaded guilty in a crash that killed a 15-year-old jogger last year.

Armand Pistilli Jr., 32, of Bentleyville, was offered a sentence of five to 10 years in prison under a deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty this week to charges of vehicular homicide, driving with a suspended license related to driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as to being a habitual offender, reckless endangerment and altering/forging certificates.

Alexandra Loos, of Eighty Four, was struck Aug. 11 as she jogged near Bentworth High School and died the following day. At the time, Pistilli had been convicted 17 times for driving under suspension and was not eligible for a license until he was at least 67. Under the plea agreement, Pistilli would get no additional time for a July 9, 2004, crash in which he rear-ended a vehicle, sending it into the back of another vehicle.

CarolinaRunner wrote:

Armand Pistilli Jr., 32, of Bentleyville, was offered a sentence of five to 10 years in prison under a deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty this week to charges of vehicular homicide, driving with a suspended license related to driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as to being a habitual offender, reckless endangerment and altering/forging certificates.

That is ridiculous.

There is no way that killer should be let out in 5 to 10 years.

He just got another DUI