A Liberty Bridge DUI crash in Pittsburgh has left two people dead after a 23-year-old woman allegedly sped out of a tunnel while intoxicated and collided with multiple vehicles in the early hours of 1 March, according to charges filed against her. Madison Elizabeth Rau now faces 18 charges in connection with the collision, including two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence (DUI), aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, and involuntary manslaughter.
The victims were identified as Jaren Wilkerson, 28, of Duquesne, and Laila Jones, 25. Both died from injuries sustained in the crash.
What Happened on Liberty Bridge
According to a criminal complaint reviewed by local ABC affiliate WTAE, Rau was travelling at 90 mph through the inbound Liberty Tunnel when she emerged onto Liberty Bridge. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that police allege she actually reached speeds in excess of 100 mph through the tunnel, a figure higher than the 90 mph recorded in the criminal complaint; both sources agree the speed was far above any lawful limit.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police received the dispatch call at approximately 12:52 a.m. Rau’s vehicle subsequently struck two other vehicles on the bridge, bursting into flames on impact.
Authorities allege Rau was driving under the influence at the time of the collision. Open alcohol containers were reportedly found both inside her vehicle and at the crash site. Medical records, according to the complaint, showed a blood alcohol concentration of approximately 0.14%, well above the legal limit of 0.08% in Pennsylvania.
First responders found Jones inside Rau’s vehicle with Rau lying on top of her. Medics extracted Rau and pronounced Jones dead at the scene. Wilkerson was removed from the rear of the vehicle in a critical condition and transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No occupants of the other vehicles sustained serious injuries.
Rau herself suffered fractures to her spine, femur, wrist, and ribs, as well as lacerations to her head.
Liberty Bridge DUI Crash Charges and Court Dates
According to WPXI, Rau faces a total of 18 charges. Court records reviewed by Law&Crime list the most serious as two counts of homicide by vehicle while DUI and two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, alongside the involuntary manslaughter count.
Rau was arrested and appeared in court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 24 July.
The Victims
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office formally identified Wilkerson, of Duquesne, as one of the two fatalities, according to TribLive. His obituary describes him as having had ‘a passion for music and rapping.’
Jones is remembered in a GoFundMe as ‘an incredible mother’ to a five-year-old boy, ‘an amazing friend, and a beautiful soul who touched so many lives with her fun, outgoing spirit.’
With the preliminary hearing set for 24 July, the evidentiary record, including the contested speed figure and the blood alcohol evidence, will be tested before a district judge who will decide whether the case proceeds to trial.
