Brentwood, PA (PPP)— Brentwood Borough Police Department has arrested a 54-year-old man on multiple felony charges following a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Sunday, March 12, 2023, on Saw Mill Run Blvd in Brentwood Borough.

The suspect, John R. Kennedy, was driving a 2006 Ford Freestyle when he allegedly crossed over two lanes of oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a 2018 Ford Eco Sport.

Kennedy was accompanied by a passenger, both of whom sustained serious injuries, along with the driver of the Ford Eco Sport.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Magisterial District Court, Kennedy was charged with multiple offenses including two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, two counts of accidents involving death or personal injury, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Additional charges include possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

Name: John R. Kennedy
Gender: Male
Age: 54

Agency: Brentwood Borough Police Department

Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-18
Docket Number: MJ-05218-CR-0000095-2023
Date Filed: March 16, 2023

Bail: $15,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail

Criminal Charges

1. Aggravated assault by vehicle (Felony 3)
2. Aggravated assault by vehicle (Felony 3)
3. Accidents involving death or personal injury (Felony 3)
4. Accidents involving death or personal injury (Misdemeanor 1)
5. Manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver (Felony)
6. Intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered (Misdemeanor)
7. Intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered (Misdemeanor)
8. Intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered (Misdemeanor)
9. Use/possession of drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
10. Driving while operator’s privilege is suspended revoked (Summary offense)
11. Failure to keep right (Summary offense)
12. Careless driving – serious bodily injury (Summary offense)
13. Reckless driving

Affidavit of Probable Cause
On Sunday March 12, 2023 at approximately 06:50 hours Officers Swick, Wagner, and I, Officer Kelly were dispatched to ██ Saw Mill Run Blvd, Brentwood Borough, for a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries involved.

Upon arrival, I observed two vehicles with heavy front end damage in front of the Dunkin Donuts. Vehicle 1 was a 2006 Ford Freestyle driven by John Kennedy and the passenger was ███████. Vehicle 2 was a 2018 Ford Eco Sport driven by ███████. Kennedy and ███████ were sitting on the ground outside of their vehicle with apparent serious injuries. ███████ was sitting inside of her car and had to be extracted by medics and also had apparent serious injuries.

Witness ███████ stated he observed Kennedy to be the driver. Kennedy also told Officers that he was driving ███████ home. I also detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Based on Officers observations, evidence, and statements it was determined that ███████ was traveling on the far right side of Saw Mill Run Blvd. Traveling Northbound. Kennedy was driving southbound on Saw Mi11 Run Blvd. Route 51 has a slight bend that goes to the right when traveling south. Kennedy crossed over two lanes into oncoming traffic and collided with ███████’ vehicle head on.

Prior to the vehicle collision there was no evidence of any tire skid marks in the roadway. There was a gouge mark in the roadway of Saw Mil Run Blvd that indicated where the Impact point was. The gouge mark was approximately 36 feet from where the two vehicles’ rest spot was against the building of Dunkin Donuts. I was able to review camera footage of the accident and it appeared that Kennedy did not take any actions to brake, turn, or slow down his vehicle. When speaking to Kennedy he stated that he didn’t know what happened and that he “blacked out”.

███████ was transported to UPMC. Presbyterian and Kennedy was transported to UPMC Mercy hospital to be treated for their injuries. ███████ was transported to UPMC Mercy hospital to be treated for her injuries. She was in serious, but stable condition in the ICU.

Both vehicles involved were towed to Missionary Auto in Baldwin PA in a secured lot.

At the Brentwood Police Station, I searched Kennedy’s PA OLN through NCIC which revealed that Kennedy was a suspended driver.

Officer Wagner and I went to Missionary Auto Sales to further investigate the accident and observed an odor of marijuana still coming from the vehicle. It should be noted that the doors on Kennedy’s vehicle were bent open from the impact of the accident and were not fully shut. All within plain view, Officer. Wagner and I observed two cigarillo packages inside of the vehicle, marijuana shake, and suspected cocaine. The vehicle was secured with evidence tape and left secured in the locked, fenced-in lot.

03/15/2023: I applied for a search warrant for Kennedy’s vehicle that was approved by magistrate Barton at 10:25hrs.

03/15/2023: At approximately 10:42 hours Officer Wagner and I executed a search warrant on Kennedy’s 2006 Ford Freestyle at ██ Missionary Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15236 (Missionary Auto Sales).

The search warrant yielded the following:

1. 1 tie off baggie of suspected crack on the front passenger side seat (located by Officer Kelly)
2. 1 corner baggie of suspected marijuana residue underneath the front passenger side seat (located by Officer Kelly)
3. 1 suspected marijuana roach underneath the front passenger side seat (located by Officer Kelly)
4. 1 suspected marijuana roach on the front passenger side seat (located by Officer Kelly)
5. 1 clear plastic bag of suspected marijuana in the front center console (located by Officer Kelly)
6. 2 cigarillo packages on the rear passenger side floor (located by Officer Wagner)
7. 2 tie off baggies of suspected crack underneath the front passenger side seat (located by Officer Kelly)
8. 1 torch lighter on the front driver’s side seat (located by Officer Wagner)
9. 1 clear straw with burn marks in the rear center console (located by Officer Kelly)
10. 1 clear plastic bag with 12 suspected crack tie off baggies and 3 suspected heroin stamp bags, marked venom, located in a black xxl men’s leather jacket on the rear passenger side seat (located by Officer Kelly)
11. 1 synthetic marijuana packaging located in a black xxl men’s leather jacket (located by Officer Kelly)
12. 1 suspected marijuana roach underneath the front driver’s side seat (located by Officer Kelly)