James Barge, 65, of New Castle, was killed in a vehicle crash early Thursday, May 4, on Route 422, according to state police. Submitted Photo

A Beaver County woman was arrested for suspicion of DUI after an early Thursday morning crash on Route 422 that killed a 65-year-old Butler Eagle employee on his way home from work, according to state police Friday.

Kassandra Marie Clyde, 24, of Fombell, Beaver County, could face charges, including homicide by vehicle for DUI, pending lab results of a blood draw and completion of an investigation by a collision analysis and reconstruction specialist, state police said.

The investigation is expected to take about two weeks.

Police said James Barge, of New Castle, suffered fatal injuries from the crash, which occurred around 1:15 a.m. at the intersection of Route 422 and Unionville Road in Franklin Township, near the Big Butler Fairgrounds.

Barge was driving west on Route 422 in a Toyota Camry, and Clyde was driving east in her Honda CR-V, police said.

The crash report showed Clyde’s vehicle crossed into Barge’s lane of travel, over solid yellow lines and a turning lane, before striking his vehicle.

Clyde was accepted into Butler County's accelerated rehabilitative disposition on Oct. 17, 2022 after Zelienople police charged her with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.16% or more following an April 19, 2022, traffic stop.

The ARD program is usually for first time offenders. The program is intended to encourage offenders to make a fresh start after participating in a rehabilitative program and offers them the possibility of dismissal of charges and the expungement of their arrest record upon completion of the program.

Eagle correspondent Jim Smith and Eagle staff writer Steve Ferris contributed to this report.

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