Vehicle Crash DME

An Oklahoma man was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital Wednesday after he struck a tree on Route 28 in Buffalo Township, state police said.

Tommy S. Copeland, 50, of Sand Springs, Okla., suffered serious injuries to the head and chest from the crash.

According to a crash report, Copeland was driving north in the left lane of Route 28 around 6:43 a.m., passing a vehicle.

Police said Copeland drove his Ford F-150 at a high rate of speed into the right lane to take exit 17, but could not because a school bus was on the exit ramp.

Copeland’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and hit a tree, which activated the truck’s airbags, according to documents.

At the time of the crash, Copeland was not wearing a seat belt, police said. The front end of his truck was heavily damaged.

Copeland was taken by STAT MedEvac medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh for his injuries.

The Buffalo Township and Sarver volunteer fire departments also responded to the crash.