Crash Victim Flown to Hospital

A man was flown to UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital after driving his grey-Ford Ranger 4x4 into a Jersey barrier outside of Toy's Flower and Landscape Supply in West Kittanning Borough last night.

by Jonathan Weaver

One man was flown to a regional hospital last night after crashing into a Jersey barrier along Butler Road in West Kittanning Borough.

Shortly after 9PM Tuesday, the man was driving his Ford Ranger 4×4 south on Butler Road in West Kittanning, but veered to the right off the roadway after traveling through the Arthur Street and Linde Road traffic light. The barrier was near Toy’s Flower and Landscape Supply.

West Kittanning Police Officer Robert Gahagan said the victim – whose name was not released by police because of the ongoing investigation – suffered head injuries and was taken by Kittanning #6 Ambulance first before being flown to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Presbyterian Hospital for further treatment.

The cause of the crash has not been identified, but alcohol was found in the vehicle.

“Chemical tests will prove whether there’s alcohol, drugs or anything else related,” Gahagan said. “It appears that the individual either lost focus or lost control and drove straight into the Jersey barriers.

“Until we find out information with regard to the condition of the driver, we won’t have much-more to go on,” Gahagan added.

West Kittanning Fire Chief Bernie Bowser, Jr. said the man was able to safely exit the driver’s-side door of his vehicle before being assisted by emergency personnel.

The force of the crash also caused a barrier to fall upon a parked-green Pontiac Bonneville, consequently owned by Greg Toy – owner of Toy’s Flower and Landscape Supply. Nobody else was injured at the scene.

West Kittanning firefighters and East Franklin Police assisted with traffic control.

Morris Towing of Kittanning towed both vehicles from the scene.

The inbound traffic lane was blocked for nearly 45 minutes.