Five injured in Kittanning Township crash
Oct 03, 2012 (Menafn - The Leader Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --KITTANNING TOWNSHIP -- A two-vehicle crash involving a coal truck sent five members of an Oregon family to area hospitals and temporarily shut down Route 422 on Tuesday afternoon.
According to state police, Roger D. Marsh, 56, of Bend, Ore., was driving a Chrysler Town & Country minivan east on Route 422 at 12:52 p.m. when he attempted to pull across traffic into the parking lot of the Kittanning Township Fire Department, and pulled into the path of a Peterbilt truck driven by Ronald J. Haluka, 41, of West Sunbury.
Haluka reportedly swerved into the eastbound lane in an attempt to avoid the collision, but the truck struck the rear passenger side of the van, sending it spinning onto the highway shoulder.
The truck rolled onto its side and spilled its load of sand before skidding into a tree.
A witness who lives near the scene of the accident said he heard two loud bangs, then saw Haluka kick out the windshield of his truck and walk out of the wreckage.
Both drivers and two passengers in the van -- Jerel D. Marsh, 31, and Cathy Marsh, 33 -- were transported by ambulance to ACMH Hospital for injuries.
Also an 11-year-old and 4-year-old girl in the van also were injured.
One was flown by helicopter to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and the other was taken to ACMH.
The names of the children were not released and medical conditions for all involved were unknown as of Tuesday evening.
Additional reporting by Brigid Beatty. Tim Karan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-543-1303 or tkaran@tribweb.com.
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