Father, uncle charged in Parkway crash that killed 2-year-old

Pittsburgh police have charged two men in connection with a crash 10 months ago that killed a 2-year-old girl on the Parkway North.

The victim's uncle, Taylor Jefferson, 25, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and many other related counts. The victim's father, Tyrek Jefferson, 23, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and related counts.

On May 18, Taylor Jefferson was driving north on I-279 when he stopped his 1997 Toyota Camry and put it into reverse, possibly trying to get onto the Perrysville exit, which he had driven past, according to police.

A Chevrolet Cobalt plowed into the back of the Camry.

The girl, Saryiah Jefferson, was in the backseat of the Camry. She was not in a car seat, or wearing a seat belt, police said.

Tyrek Jefferson was a passenger in the car.

Tyrek, Taylor and Saryiah Jefferson were all taken to the hospital, as was the Cobalt's driver. Saryiah was soon pronounced dead.

Both men were under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI .

Tyrek Jefferson told police that he remembered drinking, but has no recollection of being in the car, WPXI reported.

Police said Saryiah would have survived if she had been in a car seat.

Neither Tyrek nor Taylor Jefferson was in custody Thursday morning, according to WPXI.

Jacob Tierney is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-6646, jtierney@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Soolseem.