Westmoreland County prosecutors charged Anthony Joseph Pugliano on Thursday with a felony for the March 8 crash that killed Avella resident Timothy Booker on Interstate 70 near the Chestnut Street interchange in Canton Township. The indictment also includes a count of filing a fraudulent insurance claim.
Crash details and investigation
State police say Pugliano was traveling eastward in a Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV with three passengers when his vehicle struck Booker at approximately 4 a.m. The victim, 46, was walking on the highway when the impact occurred. A passing tractor‑trailer driver discovered Booker’s body and called 911.
Investigators recovered fragments of the SUV – a driver‑side mirror and a front fender – near the scene. The parts bore a partial vehicle identification number that allowed troopers to confirm the vehicle as a Jeep Grand Cherokee registered to Pugliano. Surveillance footage captured a vehicle matching the SUV’s description traveling east through Wheeling shortly before the crash, and the license plate visible in the video matched Pugliano’s registration.
Passenger statements and alleged deer claim
Police interviewed Pugliano and two of his three passengers. All three claimed they believed the impact was with a deer. Pugliano described the event as an “incredible impact” occurring in “dark as hell” conditions, adding that the stretch of highway offered no convenient pull‑off area despite numerous exits between the Chestnut Street interchange and their home in Hempfield Township, nearly an hour away.
However, investigators noted the collision occurred on an elevated portion of I‑70 with clear sight‑lines and no trees nearby, making a sudden deer appearance unlikely. The claim of a deer strike was also reflected in an insurance filing submitted less than seven hours after the crash.
Insurance claim and alleged fraud
According to court documents, the Puglianos filed an insurance claim stating they had hit a deer and subsequently dropped the SUV off at a collision shop for repairs. The claim was later contradicted by police findings that no wildlife could have been present at the site.
Investigators also recovered yellow cleaning cloths that Pugliano’s wife, Dena, said she used to wipe down the SUV after returning home. The cloths were discarded in the trash but later retrieved by police as part of the evidence collection.
Legal proceedings
Pugliano, 59, was arraigned before District Judge John Bruner on felony charges of accident involving death and filing a fraudulent insurance claim, along with several traffic citations. He was released on a $250,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
The case underscores the seriousness with which Westmoreland County law enforcement treats fatal traffic incidents and insurance fraud. Authorities emphasized that drivers must stop and render aid when involved in a crash, especially when a pedestrian is injured or killed.
Community impact
The tragedy has resonated with residents of Canton Township and surrounding areas, prompting renewed calls for increased safety measures on high‑speed roadways. Local officials have reiterated the importance of proper lighting, clear signage, and public awareness campaigns to prevent similar incidents.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
