Man Accused Of Killing Cop While Driving Drunk Gives Apology

GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- Accused of killing a police officer while driving drunk, Clair Fink said Monday that he deserves his fate. He also addressed the emotional wreckage of his victim and his own family, the pain he admitted he's responsible for.

While headed back to jail after a pre-trial hearing, the man accused of killing officer Eric Eslary spoke candidly about what he's accused of.

"Sitting in the cell thinking about this. I'm the one that lives with this. Every day I wake up, every night I go to sleep," Fink said.

On May 5, 2015 Fink was behind the wheel of a van going the wrong way on Route 30 at high speed. The vehicle smashed into the Ligonier Township police SUV Lt. Eric Eslary was in.

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Eslary was killed. Facing third-degree murder and homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated, Fink reflected on the fallen officer and his children, the ones he considers the other victims.

"Mostly the children that were involved, mine too. They're the ones that are most important. And they're the ones hurting the most out of all this," he said.

The 33-year-old also had words for those who chose to drink and drive.

"Think about what you do, sometimes you don't think about what you do at the time," he said.

Fink remains held in the Westmoreland County Jail, held without bond, and faces up to 50 years in jail if convicted.