ARMSTRONG COUNTY — A 26-year-old Butler County man was one of two killed Wednesday in a head-on collision in northeastern Armstrong County.

Tyler J. Zeigler, of Butler, was pronounced dead at the scene of the two-vehicle crash, which occurred shortly after 6 a.m., according to a press release issued by Armstrong County Coroner Brian Myers. The accident occurred on Route 28/66 near the intersection of Deanville Road in Mahoning Township.

Mark Kirkpatrick, 59, of Summerville, Jefferson County was transported to ACMH Hospital in East Franklin Township, where he was pronounced dead.

The collision forced the closure of Route 28/66 for more than three hours.

According to state police investigators, Zeigler was northbound on Route 28/66 driving a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck when he crossed the double-yellow line and struck the Ford F250 pickup driven by Mark Kirkpatrick. There were no passengers in either vehicle.

Zeigler was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, while Kirkpatrick was not, a police report said.

Myers reported that both men sustained multiple blunt force trauma injuries in the crash, adding that both deaths were ruled accidental.

The accident remains under investigation by both the state police and the coroner's office. As is protocol in fatal crashes, investigators are awaiting the results of autopsy and toxicology reports for both drivers.

Authorities were assisted by volunteer fire fighters and emergency crews from Dayton, Distant, New Bethlehem and Clarion.