Driver won鈥檛 be charged in crash that killed Washington teen
Courtesy of Jasmine Gillespie
The family of a teenager who died after being struck by a vehicle in April is disappointed after Washington police closed the investigation without filing criminal charges against the driver.
Johnathan Gillespie, 15, of Washington, was riding his dirt bike when he was hit by a car April 14 at the intersection of West Chestnut and Washington streets in the city. He was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he died three days later.
Police informed the teen’s parents Monday that the driver would not be charged, according to a press release issued Tuesday by Washington police Chief Steve Devenney.
“During the monthlong investigation, this department collected multiple witness statements, video evidence and obtained the medical records of the deceased in order to obtain a clear picture of the events leading up to and including the accident,” Devenney wrote in the release.
Jasmine Gillespie, Johnathan’s older sister, said the family believes the driver – who has not been identified by police – should face charges for the incident.
“We just feel like we didn’t get justice for Johnathan,” she said Tuesday.
The accident occurred at about 6:41 p.m. April 14. Washington police said the driver remained on the scene and was found to not be impaired at the time.
Devenney did not provide specific details about what led to the accident or why the department decided the driver would not be charged. He did not respond to phone calls prior to Tuesday’s deadline.
The Observer-Reporter filed a Right-to-Know request Tuesday afternoon seeking the identity of the driver and the circumstances that led to the crash.
Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh declined to comment on the case and deferred questions to police.
According to his obituary, Johnathan was the son of Johnathan Michael Gillespie Sr. of Washington and Angela Moschell of Greensburg. He attended Trinity Middle School where he played football and wrestled.
His obituary states that he was “very mechanically inclined and loved working on his dirt bike.”
Washington police consider the investigation to be closed.
“As with all tragic incidents we investigate, we extend our sympathies to the families involved,” Devenney wrote in the release.