Passenger killed in head-on crash on Route 422
SUMMIT TWP — A passenger of a Chevrolet Cobalt died in a head-on crash with a Dodge Ram at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, on Route 422 near Keck Road, according to state police.
Cpl. Daniel Istik with the state police said the Chevrolet was traveling west on Route 422 when it hit a guardrail on the right side of the road and swerved into the eastbound lane, where it struck the Dodge Ram.
The air bags deployed in both vehicles, leaving the driver of the Chevrolet with injuries requiring transportation to a Pittsburgh-area hospital by medical helicopter.
The female driver of the Dodge had only minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital, Istik said.
State police have not yet released the names of those involved in the crash.
Route 422 was closed between Keck Road and Geibel Road while police investigated the crash. Istik said he expected it to be closed for a few hours into the evening during the investigation.
In addition to state police, Lick Hill Volunteer Fire Company, East Butler Fire Station, Herman Volunteer Fire Company and Butler Ambulance Service also responded to the crash.
A 35-year resident of Keck Road, Bob, who declined to give his last name, said he has seen many fatal crashes in his time living on his street near the Route 422 crash. The crash took place close to a memorial cross dedicated to the victim of a previous fatal crash “two or three years ago,” which Bob said is why drivers cannot turn left onto Keck Road anymore.
He said he heard the crash from his house Tuesday afternoon.
“It sounded like a bomb going off,” Bob said.
