Butler Eagle employee killed in early Thursday morning crash
UPDATE: James Barge, a pressman for the Butler Eagle, suffered fatal injuries from the crash, according to police
A New Castle man was killed in a vehicle crash early Thursday morning, May 4, on Route 422, according to state police.
The crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. in Franklin Township at the intersection of Route 422 and Unionville Road.
Police said James Barge, 65, was driving west on Route 422 in a Toyota Camry and Kassandra M. Clyde, 24, of Fombell, was driving east in her Honda CR-V.
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.
Barge, a pressman for the Butler Eagle, suffered fatal injuries from the crash, police said. Butler Ambulance Service took Clyde to Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, for serious injuries.
The incident is still under investigation. Documents show police are investigating if impaired driving caused the crash.
State police confirmed a section of Route 422 was closed for several hours during investigation. As of 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the road has reopened.