No criminal charges should be filed in the Elizabeth Township traffic crash that killed three young people, Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht said Thursday. "There is no specific entity that can be held accountable," Wecht said. "It's not a matter of alcohol being distributed by a specific adult." The Sept. 21 crash killed Candace Geiser, 17, of Elizabeth Borough; Bethann Zagurasky, 17, of Forward; and Brian Ash, 20, of Elizabeth Borough. Tests showed that Ash, who was driving, and Geiser had been drinking. The coroner's office ruled yesterday that the deaths of Geiser and Zagurasky were vehicular homicide, with Ash being responsible. Ash's death was ruled accidental. According to the coroner's office, Ash had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 percent. Tests showed evidence of marijuana use. The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.1 percent for drivers ages 21 or older and 0.02 percent for younger drivers. Geiser had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent, the coroner's office said. Tests found no evidence of alcohol or drugs in Zagurasky's system. Police said Ash, who was driving almost 70 mph in a 35-mph zone, crossed the center line on Broadlawn Drive and collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by Rob Pardick, 30, of Elizabeth Township. Pardick, who still is recovering from serious leg injuries suffered in the crash, declined comment yesterday. Assistant District Attorney Ed Borkowski said the crash and the incidents leading to it remain under investigation. Despite the coroner's recommendation, criminal charges still could be filed, he said. Testimony at a Nov. 15 inquest indicated the three young people were at a party at the Elizabeth Township home of Josh Boyer, 21, shortly before the accident. Wecht said that because several people brought alcohol to the party, the specific source of the alcohol that Ash and Geiser drank could not be determined. Boyer testified at the inquest that he had asked younger people to leave the party because he didn't want anyone underage to be drinking. He testified that he left about 11:30 p.m. and did not return until after Ash and the girls had gone. Boyer said that when he left the house to go to a bar in McKeesport, he saw Ash smoking marijuana on a side porch. Boyer also testified he did not observe Ash drinking. Boyer said he had left almost two six-packs of beer in the home's refrigerator. Other people testified that they brought beer to the house that evening. Geiser and Zagurasky were friends of Seth Boyer, Josh's younger brother who sometimes stays at his brother's home on 10 acres along Greenock-Buena Vista Road. Both Boyers could not be reached for comment yesterday. Chuck Evans, lawyer for the Geiser family, said yesterday the family intends to pursue civil action. "(Boyer) walked out of the house, knowing that minors were there," Evans said. The ruling yesterday left Dora Geiser, mother of Candace Geiser, distraught. "If three kids left my house and died, I would be in jail," she said. "You can't have a party at your house and no one be responsible."

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