District Court: Baden Woman Waives Possession, DUI Charges

A Baden woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance after her car was pulled over leaving Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital.

Brittany Garlitz, 25, recently waived the possession charge as well as a charge of driving under the influence. Sewickley police said an officer at the hospital on a service call was approached by hospital security regarding Garlitz being uncooperative and possibly under the influence. Police said Garlitz was at the hospital complaining of an injury and attempting to get pain medication.

Police said her 3-year-old child became lost in the hospital for about 45 minutes and security felt Garlitz was unable to properly care for the child. Allegheny County Children and Youth and Family was called and decided to transport the child to her grandmother in Baden.

Police later stopped Garlitz’s vehicle on Broad Street after she left the hospital, knowing her state and that her license was expired. Police said Garlitz ran over a curb and nearly struck a tree. Police found a muscle relaxer pill though Garlitz did not have a prescription, police said.

She was taken back to the hospital for a blood-alcohol test. Police did not report the test results.

The following people were also charged and scheduled for preliminary hearings Oct. 16 at District Judge Robert Ford's office in Leetsdale:

Waived

• Joshua Nelson, 20, of Economy, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and underage drinking. Leetsdale police reported that Nelson on Aug. 23 was involved in a one-car accident in the 100 block of Beaver Street and lost his front tires. He drove away on the rim and was found on Ambridge Avenue in Leet. Police reported a blood-alcohol level of 0.189 percent, above the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.

• Jeffrey Rainier, 37, of Pittsburgh, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Leetsdale police reported Rainer came through a West Hills DUI checkpoint on Aug. 25 and as found to have a DUI suspended license. Police reported a blood-alcohol level of 0.127 percent, above the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.

• Curtis Keener, 29, of Baden, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Leetsdale police reported Rainer came Aug. 25 through a West Hills DUI checkpoint and admitted to drinking at the Pirates game. Police reported a blood-alcohol level of 0.083 percent, above the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.

• James S. Hiteshew, 37, of Zelienople, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Franklin Park police reported Hiteshew was stopped Sept. 5 after he was seen trying to get into a closed business in the 2600 block of Wexford Bayne Road. Police reported a blood-alcohol level of 0.210 percent, above the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.