Man charged in wrong-way hit-and-run crash that killed mother of 2 on her way home from work

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A mother of two was killed in a wrong-way hit-and-run crash early Thursday morning on Interstate 70 in Washington, Pennsylvania State Police said.

The crash happened shortly before 2:30 a.m. on I-70 eastbound near Exit 17.

Police said 48-year-old Leandre Woods is responsible for the deadly hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 32-year-old Joscelyn Vith.

Police said Vith was driving home from work when Woods’ pickup truck, going the wrong way, crashed into her Jaguar head-on. Both vehicles burst into flames.

Vith was rushed to the hospital and then flown to a Pittsburgh hospital where she died shortly thereafter.

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Only Channel 11 was there when Woods turned himself in at the State Police Barracks in Washington a few hours later.

“During the interview and speaking to him, troopers could smell alcohol subsequently,” State Police Trooper Forrest Allison said.

Police said after he slammed into Vith, he got out of his truck and ran from the crash site -- later telling police he fell asleep at the wheel and was scared.

Investigators found a half-empty beer bottle next to the car and a whisky bottle in the backseat, according to police paperwork.

Vith’s loved ones told Channel 11 over the phone an innocent bystander pulled over to help her in her final moments. They wanted to thank that person and it meant a lot to them.

Woods is currently in the hospital but will be sent to the Washington County Jail once he is released. He has been arraigned on a number of charges including vehicular homicide and fleeing the scene.

Police told Chanmel 11 Wood has previously been convicted of three DUIs and was driving with a suspended license.

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