Hillgrove crashes into store, hit with DUI

Anyone who follows the Steelers or Pitt athletics knows Bill Hillgrove.

He is the voice of those organizations as the play-by-play personality for the Steelers, as well as Pitt football and basketball. Whether it is his work alongside Tunch Ilkin and Myron Cope, or his work with former basketball color commentator Dick Groat at Pitt, Hillgrove's voice is well-known among the Pittsburgh fan base.

Hillgrove recently was charged with drunken driving after he drove his car into a Murrysville grocery story Monday. The incident happened at Ferri's Sure Save supermarket on Old William Penn Highway at 5:18 p.m.

Store owner Gary Silvestri told police that Hillgrove drove “directly into the two glass panes,” then got out of his car and went into the store to fill a prescription, per the complaint. Hillgrove then reportedly got back into his car and drove to his Murrysville home after picking up his medication.

According to the criminal complaint, police went to Hillgrove's home, where he told them he had “a couple of beers.” Hillgrove continued to claim the car "got away from me" and was the reason he crashed into the store front windows.

Hillgrove was administered a breathalyzer test and a field sobriety test. Police also drew blood for testing, but the results of said test are still pending.

Hillgrove has been the play-by-play man for the Steelers since 1994 when he was handpicked by Dan Rooney to replace Jack Fleming. He was named Vector's Man of the Year in Communications in 2000. He has worked at Pitt since 1969.

A hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Westmoreland County Magisterial District Court.