Murrysville, PA -- Murrysville Police, in cooperation with the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, charged a Murrysville man accused of causing a deadly accident that took the life of a New Alexandria man. 

Darren Hamm, 60, is facing charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, driving under the influence and various traffic offenses. 

Murrysville Police responded to the fatal accident on October 7, 2023 at the intersection of Route 22 and School Road. 

Officers located four vehicles involved in the accident with one of the drivers unresponsive and entrapped in the vehicle. 

Michael Poholsky, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his passenger had to be transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. 

Witnesses told police the driver of a red pickup truck, Darren Hamm, caused the collision after failing to stop for a steady red signal at the intersection. 

Witnesses who had been following Hamm for miles told police that he was driving erratically and failed to stop for previous red lights. 

Murrysville Police detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Hamm upon questioning him. 

Hamm submitted to a preliminary blood test that showed a positive reading for alcohol, according to police.

A search warrant obtained for Hamm's blood, revealed a blood alcohol content of .183. 

Upon further investigation, officers discovered Hamm had been drinking at the Fort Allen Social Club prior to the accident. 

Surveillance video obtained from the club allegedly showed Hamm drinking 6 draft beers and 9 shots in less than 7 hours. 

Video surveillance observed by investigators from along Route 22 showed the traffic signal was a steady red for 22 seconds prior to the crash occurring. 

Hamm was traveling 43 miles per hour when he struck the victim's vehicle and never attempted to stop before the collision. 

Hamm has three previous DUI arrests. He was arraigned and lodged in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.