18-year-old charged in North Park crash that killed 2 teenage passengers

PITTSBURGH — A teenager is facing charges for a deadly crash in North Park in December.

Taylor Orlowski, 18, of Baden, and Jonathan Tourney, 14, of Gibsonia, died in a single-vehicle crash near Babcock Avenue in McCandless on Dec. 23. The four other people in the car had minor injuries. Soon after the crash, police said the driver was speeding when he lost control and hit a tree.

A criminal complaint states that when the car hit the tree, it split nearly in half, veered across Irwin Road and came to a rest on a wooded hillside.

>>> 2 teens killed in single-vehicle crash near North Park, police say

On Monday, the Allegheny County Police Department identified the driver as Aiden Saber, 18, of Richland Township. In a news release, police clarify the vehicle was traveling at least 72 mph when Saber lost control. Tests showed he also had a blood alcohol content of .047%.

Police spoke with a surviving passenger who said everyone in the car had been drinking before the crash, the complaint says. This passenger said the group left his house and walked trails at North Park. When they returned to the car to leave, Saber “punched” the vehicle and sped up while other people in the car told him to stop. The passenger claims Saber repeatedly said “I got it,” while they told him to slow down.

Saber is charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of aggravated assault by a vehicle and driving under the influence.

Jonathan Tourney’s mom told Channel 11 over the phone she wasn’t aware charges would be filed Monday, but says she wants Saber to be held accountable.

“[We’re] pleased with the investigation and that things are moving forward. We’re all deeply saddened with everything that happened. We feel the driver should have to be accountable for his actions. We miss Jonathan very much and nothing will ever bring him back,” Ellie Tourney said.

Taylor’s mom, Heather, also sent Channel 11 a statement, saying that although nothing will bring her daughter back, she hopes through the justice system a similar tragedy can be avoided. Her full statement reads:

“There is no amount of justice that will ever bring my daughter back. A selfish person made a careless decision that ended the lives of two people with their entire lives ahead of them, far too soon. My hope is that something so avoidable like this tragedy doesn’t happen again. That the outcome of this nightmare provides a lesson and gives greater responsibility to people when they have the lives of others at their fingertips. My daughter’s life was lost because of a poor choice made [by] someone else. I lost my best friend and my world. My daughter did not deserve this. My hope is that our justice systems can deliver what her memory deserves.”

Defense attorney Casey White is representing Saber. Channel spoke to him shortly after Saber turned himself in.

“Those kids were out there that night doing what teenage kids do. They all got in the car that night, and Aiden unfortunately was the driver that night. Some poor decisions were made, but ultimately, we need to determine what we can do as a defense team to help Aiden in this situation,” White said.

Police say Saber’s charges come after consultation with the district attorney’s office. Saber has been denied bail.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group