State trooper arraigned on homicide-by-vehicle charge
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An off-duty state trooper based in the Pittsburgh barracks was arraigned this morning on a charge of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence after state police said he crossed into oncoming traffic on an Erie County road Wednesday night, striking a car head-on and killing the driver.
Trooper Jeffrey Michael Dalessandro, 35, of Canonsburg, also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, careless driving, reckless driving and disregarding a traffic lane.
Trooper Dalessandro, a nine-year veteran, was assigned to the state police Pittsburgh barracks in Moon Township. Maria Finn, a state police spokeswoman, said he was suspended without pay.
In a news release, state police said Trooper Dalessandro was headed east in his personal vehicle when he crossed into the westbound lanes of Route 8 in Meadville, hitting a car driven by 21-year-old Daryl Leroy Nunemaker.
Mr. Nunemaker, of Edinboro, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trooper Dalessandro was arraigned this morning before District Judge Chris K. Mackendrick, who set his bond at 10 percent of $25,000. He was freed after posting $2,500.
First Published February 9, 2012 12:00 am
