Man Killed By Fed-EX Truck Last Night

A Fed-EX driver was unable to stop after 47-year-old Gordon Solley Jr., attempted to cross Route 66/28 in front of Staley’s Motel last night. Solley was killed instantly. (Photo by Chris Smith)

A man was killed last night by a tractor trailer truck as he attempted to walk across the road around 10PM.

Gordon Thomas Solley Jr., 47, who was residing at Staley’s Motel in Rayburn Township, left the bar located along Route 28/66 and was crossing the highway en route back to the motel. He walked out in front of a tandem Federal Express tractor trailer driven by Kevin Raible from Gibsonia.

According to unidentified eyewitnesses at the scene, Raible applied the brakes but was unable to stop before hitting Solley. The smell of burnt brakes could still be smelled at the scene an hour later. Skid marks laid down from Staley Court Road  to the entrance of the restaurant/motel parking lot showed the driver’s attempt to stop his rig as he was traveling north from Kittanning.

Solley was pronounced dead at the scene by Assistant Coroner Al Thomas from blunt force trauma.

The accident closed Route 28/66 from 10PM until 2AM. The Pennsylvania State Police performed measurements and examined the truck. According to State Police, routine toxicology tests were performed on Raible following the accident.

A representative from Fed-Ex that was on the scene declined an interview and referred all inquiries to their main office.

Rayburn Township Volunteer Fire crews assisted police with traffic detours onto McGregor Road and then back onto Route 66/28.

OBIT: William J. “Bill” Hogan

Bill Hogan

Mr. William J. “Bill” Hogan, 71, of South Buffalo Twp., passed away at 7:15 pm, Saturday, March 6th, 2010 peacefully at UPMC St. Margaret in Pittsburgh.

Bill was born in Natrona Heights, PA on August 24, 1938, the son of the late Joseph and Della Marie (Fratta) Hogan. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeport.

Bill had served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer with 22 years of service. After his service to his country he went to work for M.E.C.O. (Mill Equipment and Engineering Corporation) in Pittsburgh for 15 years. After the plant’s closure he went to worked as a tech engineer at Allegheny Ludlum Steel for 10 years. Bill retired in 2008. Bill was an avid gardener. He enjoyed traveling, scuba diving, swimming and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lola (Ruffner) Hogan. Their 3 children: David A. Hogan & Joseph A. Hogan, both of South Buffalo Twp. Lynanne A. Hogan of Freeport and their grand daughter Angeline Jo Palmer of Freeport. He is also survived by his brother Robert L. (Glenda) Hogan of FL. and his sister Kathy (Robert) Cassell of Apollo.

Family and friends are being received on Tuesday March 9th from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.. in the Redmond Funeral Home Inc. 524 High St. Freeport, PA A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 10th, with Rev. James F. Neal officiating. Private burial at Sea will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Day Foundations 211 North 12th St. Lincoln, NE 66508. To send a condolence visit, www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.