Vehicle crash or accidentfor web use; big enough for print

State police identified the drivers involved in a head-on collision on Route 8 in Center Township that sent three people to hospitals last week.

The Friday, May 19, crash resulted in Matthew R. Bean, 39, of Harmony, being flown to a Pittsburgh hospital for serious injuries.

In the crash report, police said they are investigating Bean’s potential use of drugs or alcohol causing the incident.

According to the report, Bean was traveling south on Route 8 near Pine Drive in a Toyota Corrolla at 8:31 p.m. Terry L. Mackalica, 62, of Butler, was traveling north on Route 8 in her Kia Sorento.

Police said Bean’s vehicle veered into the northbound lane, striking Mackalica’s vehicle head-on.

Bean had to be extricated from his vehicle, according to Nathan Wulff, assistant chief of Unionville Volunteer Fire Company.

A LifeFlight helicopter was dispatched for Bean, and VA Butler Fire and Emergency Services assisted on scene by setting up a landing zone at Crossfire Church parking lot, just south of the crash.

Bean was flown from the parking lot to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh with serious injuries, according to Wulff.

The report showed that Mackalica and her 7-year-old passenger were taken by ambulance to Butler Memorial Hospital for suspected minor injuries.

Route 8 traffic was diverted from Route 8 at Mercer Road while first responders were on scene, Wulff said. The road closure was later expanded from Pine Drive to Benbrook Road during the incident.

Route 8 was reopened an hour later, according to Wulff.

Butler Ambulance Service and Oneida Valley Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the crash.