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County man dies in Route 68 crash

Pickup hits wall, 2 other vehicles

DONEGAL TWP — State police suspect a Butler County man killed Thursday night in a three-vehicle crash on Route 68 was speeding and impaired by marijuana.

The wreck about 6:40 p.m. left another man hospitalized with injuries.

Timothy William Pears, 26, of Goosetown was pronounced dead at Butler Memorial Hospital following the wreck near Medical Center Road in Donegal Township.

Pears was driving east at “an excessive speed” when he lost control of his 1998 Ford Ranger, said Lt. Eric Hermick. The pickup truck went off the road and traveled 100 feet before slamming into a decorative rock wall.

The truck veered back onto the road and sideswiped a westbound GMC Sierra pickup driven by Michael I. Swartz, 36, of Pittsburgh. Moments later, Pears’ truck collided with another oncoming vehicle, a Mazda 6 driven by Bradley W. Griffiths, 30, of Chicora.

The collision pinned Griffiths inside his car, said Chief Jason Miller of the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department.

Firefighters had to cut through the car to rescue Griffiths. He was alert and talking when he was removed from his vehicle. Police said he suffered moderate injuries.

“All the air bags, front and side, deployed,” Hermick said. “That probably saved him.”

Pears, who was apparently headed home and just two miles away, was unconscious when emergency crews got to him.

He and Griffiths were both taken by ambulance to Butler Memorial Hospital. Pears died of severe head and neck injuries, authorities said.

Griffiths was later taken to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. His condition was not known this morning.

Swartz was not hurt. Police said all three drivers were wearing seat belts.

The road was closed for about three hours after the wreck, Miller said. Chicora Ambulance and Butler Ambulance Service also assisted police at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation, and police are awaiting the release of toxicology results.

Hermick said investigators suspect Pears was under the influence of marijuana when he crashed. He also was driving with a suspended license.

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