A Pittsburgh woman is now facing 18 criminal counts tied to a March 1 Liberty Bridge crash that killed two passengers, authorities say. The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Laila Jones and 28-year-old Jaren Wilkerson, while the driver, Madison Elizabeth Rau, survived with serious injuries. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 24 as prosecutors decide whether the case will move toward trial.
Court records reviewed by Law&Crime show Rau is charged with 18 counts, including two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, and involuntary manslaughter. According to those documents, prosecutors cite medical records reflecting a blood-alcohol concentration of about 0.14% and note that open alcohol containers were recovered at the scene.
Investigators say the chain of events started in the Liberty Tunnel, where Rau allegedly drove into the inbound tube at high speed before emerging onto the bridge. A criminal complaint reviewed by local ABC affiliate WTAE alleges she was traveling about 90 mph as she exited the tunnel. Local reporting from WPXI says police believe she may have reached 100 to 105 mph before hitting another vehicle and erupting in flames…