PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Pamela McAllister was driving through the intersection of 16th Street and Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District when a driver sped through a red light, killing her.
Now, nearly a year later, the driver finally appeared in court.
“I’m not guilty,” said Leonard Saus, 73, the man police believe is responsible for the deadly crash.
Saus exited the courthouse professing innocence on Friday morning, despite surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony which indicates he caused the deadly crash that took the life of McAllister.
“I ain’t saying nothing,” said Saus as he left his preliminary arraignment.
Saus is now facing several charges, the most serious being vehicular homicide, along with involuntary manslaughter and three lesser charges.
On the morning of April 24, McAllister, who was traveling on 16th Street, attempted to make a left turn onto Liberty Avenue. A driver going 20 miles over the posted speed limit sped through the red light, crashing into her driver-side door.
Her car was destroyed on impact, and fragments from the vehicle were scattered across the road. While first responders cut the door off trying to rescue her, they were unable to resuscitate her, and she later died at Allegheny General Hospital.
Despite surveillance footage, it took nearly nine months for charges to be brought forth earlier this month.
Saus will return to court on Feb. 14 for his formal arraignment.
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