Brockway Brothers Plead Guilty to DUI, Other Charges Connected to Fatal Canoe Accident

RIDGWAY, Pa. (EYT) –Two Brockway brothers have pleaded guilty to DUI while boating for a canoeing accident which resulted in the death of one of the men’s fiancee.

Brothers Angelo Varischetti, 23, and Anthony Varischetti, 26, were sentenced July 6 in Elk County.

Anthony Varischetti’s sentence is 30 days to six months while on work release, while brother Angelo received a sentence of two days to six months in jail.

According to the Centre Daily Times, their canoe capsized after striking a railroad trestle along the Clarion River near Ridgway in May of last year. A woman identified as Anthony’s fiancee, Brittany Ann Baird, 25, of DuBois, was trapped in the currents following the incident and drowned.

According to online court documents, both brothers had been charged with the following in district court 59-03-02 in Ridgeway:

– Being incapable of operating a watercraft after imbibing alcohol or reusing a test, misdemeanor
– Having alcohol in the breath or blood between .08 and .10 percent while operating a watercraft, misdemeanor
– Operating a watercraft with a high rate of alcohol, misdemeanor
– Reckless operation of a watercraft, third-degree misdemeanor
– Negligent operation of a watercraft, summary

Of those charges, online court documents indicate Anthony Varischetti pleaded guilty to being incapable of operating a watercraft after imbibing alcohol or reusing a test as a first-degree misdemeanor and reckless operation of a watercraft as a third-degree misdemeanor.

Angelo Varischetti pleaded guilty to having alcohol in the breath or blood between .08 and .10 percent while operating a watercraft as a misdemeanor.