Feb 13, 2008 11:49 pm US/Eastern
Tarentum Man Killed In PennDOT Salt Truck Crash
FAWN TWP (KDKA) ―
State police are investigating a fatal accident involving a PennDOT salt truck.
The salt truck driver told State police that he lost control during a snow squall, crossed into oncoming traffic, and collided head-on with the van.
"The operator of the PennDOT salt truck attempted to regain control of the truck via emergency steering and braking but was not able to do so," Trooper Michael Markey said. "Unit No. 1, PennDOT salt truck, crossed over into the eastbound lane of travel and struck unit 2."
The van's driver, Charles Aymar, Jr., 63, of Tarentum, died at the scene. The front end of the van was smashed in from the impact.
The salt truck was on its way back to the stockpile when the crash happened.
The PennDOT driver was shaken after the accident.
"No matter how you look at it obviously it's a horrific thing when you have a fatality that's involved in a traffic crash, but at this point we don't know what occurred out there," PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi said. "So our condolences go out to the family of the victim involved in this awful crash."
The driver told police he was going about 30-35mph when the crash happened. State police are going to look at the salt truck to see if a mechanical issue played a role.
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