23-04-2025
Somerset woman charged in DUI crash that injured Pennsylvania trooper
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Somerset woman is facing charges after she was allegedly driving under the influence when she caused a crash that left a state trooper with multiple injuries.
Regina Bailey, 36, is now facing charges for a December 2024 crash that left one injured, according to a criminal complaint. On Dec. 21, 2024, officers were called to the area of 2200 Glades Pike in Jefferson Township for a report of a vehicle crash.
Officers learned that a vehicle had broken down in that area and that a state trooper was helping to provide traffic control when an accident occurred. According to the complaint, the trooper had emergency lights on and pulled off at a safe location before helping the disabled motorist.
PD: Moxham shooting sends one to the hospital, suspect still unknown
Whilst helping, a white Ford truck and a red Chevy Malibu were seen driving westbound toward the disabled vehicle. The driver of the Chevy slowed down because of the crash, but the driver of the Ford failed to do so and ended up rear-ending the Chevy. According to the affidavit, the accident caused the driver of the Chevy to lose control and hit a person who was helping the disabled driver before hitting the trooper.
Witnesses reported the trooper was 'flung' in the accident and had to be taken to the hospital for his injuries. The other person who was hit was uninjured. Bailey was determined to be the driver of the Ford truck, and the accident was captured on video by a dash camera, according to the complaint.
The driver of the Chevy told officers that before the accident, Bailey had been 'riding' her car and had failed to slow down as she was slowing down.
When interviewed by police, Bailey allegedly admitted that she had just gotten off work and had hit the Chevy 'really hard.' She also admitted that there were three juveniles in the car at the time of the accident. Police noted that during the conversation, Bailey showed signs of driving impaired. Her eyes were glassy and bloodshot and her pupils were dilated, according to the complaint.
Bailey was taken to the state police barracks in Somerset and voluntarily submitted to a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation, where troopers said she was under the influence. She was then taken to UPMC Somerset for a blood draw, which she consented to. Her blood draw was positive for multiple forms of THC, according to the complaint.
Police applied for a search warrant for the Ford truck, and when it was granted, they allegedly found a marijuana blunt in the driver's seat area, which was charred at one end. They also noted that there was a marijuana smoking bowl with charred residue and items from a marijuana dispensary with Bailey's name on it.
The trooper who was hit sustained the following injuries:
A 4 cm cut above his eye
A bony nasal septum fracture
A concussion
Bruising to his left hip bone
Chronic headaches
Spine injuries
A whiplash injury
Vision impairment
At the time the complaint was filed, the trooper had not returned to duty as a result of the crash.
Bailey is in the Somerset County Prison with bail set at $20,000. She is facing charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, Aggravated assault by vehicle, endangering the welfare of children, driving under the influence, drug charges and other related offenses.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 30.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
