Man killed in I-79 accident
JACKSON TWP — A Crawford County man has died as a result of serious injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday morning on Interstate 79.
State police announced later in the afternoon that Eric J. Ruhlman, 52, of Atlantic, Pa. died a short time after being airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Butler County 911 dispatched emergency crews at 6:05 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash on I-79 South near mile marker 87.5 just north of the on-ramps.
Upon arrival, firefighters found Ruhlman trapped inside a 2019 Nissan Frontier pickup with heavy-front-end damage.
According to state police, Ruhlman’s vehicle struck the rear of a triaxle truck driven by Harry P. Swab, 51, of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County.
Police confirmed Swab was uninjured. Both drivers were alone in their respective vehicles.
“This crash occurred as both units were traveling south,” police said. “As both units approached Exit 88, (the Frontier) hit (the triaxle) in the rear end.”
Swab was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Ruhlman was not wearing his seat belt, according to state police documents.
Crews remained on scene for more than an hour as the vehicles and debris were cleared. Throughout that time, all southbound lanes were blocked.
Portersville firefighters diverted southbound traffic at the Portersville exit, and traffic Route 19 was also congested.
State police, Harmony EMS, Cranberry EMS, Harmony Fire District, Portersville Muddy Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department, Adams Area Fire District, and Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company all responded to the accident.
The accident did not impact students or staff arriving at the Seneca Valley School District’s secondary campus, according to Linda Andreassi, district communications director.
This article was updated at 3:15 p.m. April 26.
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