DA: No charges in traffic death involving officer

DA: No charges in traffic death involving officer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A western Pennsylvania prosecutor says no charges are warranted against a western Pennsylvania police officer whose car struck and killed a man in a Pittsburgh suburb last month.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. said Tuesday that his analysis concerned only whether a crime was committed, but he “can’t even find negligence” in the case.

Zappala said 49-year-old Michael Barnes had a blood alcohol level of 0.384 and a dashboard camera showed him walking into the road looking straight ahead before he was struck Oct. 3.

The prosecutor said the Monroeville officer was looking to his left and scanning the back of businesses as part of his patrol duties.

Monroeville police chief Steven Pascarella said the officer, an 18-year veteran, would return to duty today from administrative leave.