Driver Turns In Self After Friend Dies In Bethel Park Crash

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Police say he was drunk and speeding when he wrecked his car. The crash left his friend dead.

Nearly three months later, the 18-year-old driver is facing serious charges.

Shane Phillips, 16, was full of life as a sophomore and rising star on the South Park High School football team.

That all came to an end on May 15, when Phillips was riding in the back seat of a car driven by Christopher Beck.

According to police, Beck lost control of his vehicle in the 1400 block of Stoltz Road in Bethel Park. The vehicle went off the road and struck a mailbox, two trees and a fire hydrant.

Phillips was pronounced dead at St. Clair Hospital.

"Obviously, it's a tough call to handle, a little extra tough just because of the fact that a juvenile was involved, No one ever wants to see anything like that, it was pretty difficult," Bethel Park Police Patrolman Colby Grubich said.

Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath of the crash said Beck admitted that he was driving too fast.

Police said Beck was cooperative at the scene, but they needed time to properly investigate exactly what happened.

"Our investigators had to go back and piece together the timeline as to what happened. The timeline of events that occurred that evening, as well as toxicology reports, crash reconstruction, they want to be very thorough before filling any charges," Grubich said.

Several charges, including DUI and homicide by vehicle, were filed against Beck on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old from South Park turned himself into police the same day.

Unable to post bail, he is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

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