Elderly man dies in crash
A Waynesburg man died Friday afternoon in an accident along Route 218 in Franklin Township, Greene County. Assistant Coroner Mary Lewis pronounced 70-year-old William R. George, dead at the scene at 1:22 p.m. She said he apparently suffered a heart attack while driving along Smith Creek Road in Blairstown and was about 150 yards past the bridge over Ten Mile Creek.
A state police report placed the accident on Route 218 at TR 529 about 12:33 p.m. Police said George’s 1994 Plymouth Voyager for unknown reasons crossed from the southbound line into the northbound lane. The van traveled off the left berm, about 13 feet, struck several objects and went airborne. It struck and ruptured a Columbia Gas line before striking a cement partition and landing on its side.
State police said the investigation is continuing. Trooper Jay Allen, who issued the report, was unavailable for comment Saturday.
Lewis, however, reported Saturday that the office of Dr. Cyril Wecht in Pittsburgh performed an autopsy on George Friday night that determined he suffered a heart attack.
She said that George also suffered blunt force trauma to his head and neck during the accident.
The state police report said assistance was provided at the scene by Southwest EMS, Waynesburg Police Department, Waynesburg Fire Department and several other individuals.
George, of 353 S. Washington St., was a graduate of Waynesburg High School and a lifelong resident of Waynesburg.
He was veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army.
George worked as an auto mechanic in Waynesburg for many years. He operated his own repair shop and had also worked in partnership with his brother Wayne at George’s Body Shop.
Surviving are his wife, Shelby Rogers George; one son, Robert George of Tempe, Arizona; two daughters, Thelma Cross of Waynesburg and Debra A. Patterson of Waynesburg; seven grandchildren, Shelby and Neil George, Jessica, Erin and Daniel Cross, and Ryan and Lindsay Patterson; one brother, Robert George of Cortland, N.Y; two sisters, Shirley Eisiminger of Waynesburg and Patricia Lemley of Jefferson; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Wayne George and Donald George.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Behm Funeral Home Inc., 182 W. High St., Waynesburg.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Harry Hill officiating.
Interment will follow at Greene County Memorial Park.