A Fombell woman is expected to plead guilty to charges state police filed after a May 4, 2023 fatal crash on Route 422 in Franklin Township.

Kassandra Clyde, 26, was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and several summary traffic violations in the death of James Barge, 65, of New Castle, who was on his way home from his job as a pressman at the Butler Eagle when he suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

At a status conference Tuesday, April 29, Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy McCune placed Clyde’s case on the trial list for June, according to District Attorney Rich Goldinger, but he said Clyde is expected to plead guilty.

Clyde, who is free on $500,000 unsecured bail, was driving east in a 2010 Honda CR-V and Barge was traveling west in a 2011 Toyota Camry at 1:15 a.m. when she crossed over the center line and a turning lane and struck Barge head on, according to police.

Barge was pronounced dead at the scene.

At Clyde’s preliminary hearing, a state trooper testified that a strong odor of alcohol was emanating from her and she exhibited signs of impairment through slurred speech and glassy eyes. She suffered a leg injury.

The crash occurred two days after Clyde requested expungement of a previous DUI conviction after she completed the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program.

Court records show Clyde applied for early termination from ARD supervision on April 18, 2023, and it was granted April 19. Her penalty was considered satisfied in February after she completed litter pick up in November 2022. She submitted a petition for expungement on May 2.

A lawsuit Barge’s widow, Lisa Barge, filed against Clyde and three bars where the suit alleges she drank before the crash was settled in February.