A Fayette County motorist charged with homicide by vehicle in the death of a pedestrian admits that the voice heard on a tape of a 911 call made after the incident is his. "I just saw somebody get run over," the caller said, offering a bogus name and an address in Ohio with no phone. Defense attorney Martha Bailor told jurors Tuesday during opening arguments in the trial of David J. Long, 25, of Grindstone that the caller was her client. Police allege Long was driving on Route 166 in Redstone Township early on the morning of April 23, 2001, when his 1987 Pontiac sedan hit and killed George L. Tringes, 26, of Adah. Long also is accused of leaving the scene after the incident. Tringes' body later was found at the edge of the southbound lane of the two-lane highway. Tringes died from massive blunt-force trauma to the head and chest. Police have charged Long with homicide by vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, careless driving and driving at an unsafe speed. Long is expected to testify. A prior 911 caller told dispatchers that Tringes was sitting in the middle of the northbound lane of Route 166, about one-fourth of a mile north of New Salem Road. Authorities didn't have a suspect in the case until a passenger in Long's car contacted police. Bailor has contended Tringes was partially at fault for the accident, claiming Tringes' blood-alcohol level was 0.345 percent, more than three times the state-defined threshold of intoxication. Bailor discussed a judgment of acquittal motion with Fayette County Judge Steve P. Leskinen at sidebar. She may present the motion after the prosecution wraps up its case. The prosecution expects to close its case today with the testimony of forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, who will testify about the cause of death. Leskinen said the trial may conclude today.
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