Couple Injured in Rayburn Crash

A Kittanning couple was hospitalized following a crash on Route 85 near Stonehouse Road.  The accident occurred early Sunday at approximately 2:15 AM.

A 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Keith Haslett, 26, was traveling east on Route 85 and failed to negotiate a curve to the left. The vehicle entered the southern berm and the left rear impacted a telephone pole. The vehicle then continued down a small slope and rolled side to side. The passenger side then impacted a tree causing the compartment to partially collapse.

Haslett was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence and transported to ACMH Hospital where he submitted to a blood test. Charges are pending the results of that test.

His passenger, 38-year-old Staci Haslett was extracted from the vehicle and flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital by STAT Medevac helicopter with major injuries.

Pennsylvania State Police were assisted by Rayburn Township, Rural Valley, and Kittanning Township Volunteer Fire Departments.

Youth Apprehended After Escaping from Home

A fourteen-year-old female from McKeesport escaped yesterday from a Youth Home located in Apollo Borough.  She was tracked to the FuelLand convenience store in Washington Township, Westmoreland County. As she was taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police troopers, she was found to have stolen food items from FuelLand amounting to $13. She is being charged with Escape in Armstrong County and also Retail Theft before District Magisterial Judge Elise Glenn. She was returned to the Youth Home.

Officers Assaulted Serving Warrant

Two constables and a sheriff were assaulted while attempting to serve a warrant to a Boggs Township man on Monday, August 23.

At approximately 1:10PM, Pennsylvania State Police responded to and assisted the Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office at 410 State Route 1034. Constables Rosen and Bracken and Sheriff Pitzer went to the residence residence belonging to Jason D. John, 33, of Templeton, to serve a County Bench Warrant. During the course of the warrant service, John brandished a revolver handgun at the officers.

John was taken into custody without incident, and no one was injured in the altercation. John was placed in the Armstrong County Prison. Charges were filed through Magisterial District Judge Samuel R. Goldstrohm’s office.