Chartiers Township Woman Charged In Fatal Accident

Police have filed charges against a Chartiers Township woman who was involved in a deadly “chain reaction” crash on Interstate 79 South in Washington County last August.  The crash left a man dead, shut down the interstate and sent multiple victims to the hospital.  Authorities say 35-year-old Rachel Ann Phillips faces a felony charge of homicide by vehicle and misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person along with driving under the influence.  The accident happened around ten in the morning near the Canonsburg interchange.  Authorities say witnesses saw Phillips vehicle swerve from the right lane of northbound 79 and cross over the median into opposing traffic.  Killed in the crash was 58-year-old Gary Reinhardt of Lancaster, New York.  Two other vehicles were also involved.  Phillips was flown to Allegheny General Hospital where a blood test came back positive for cocaine and marijuana.