Jun 24, 2002 By Melissa Glisan 2 min read

CUMBERLAND TWP. – Excessive speed led to an accident that claimed the life of a Crucible man early Sunday morning, according to state police. John L. Udovich, 24, of Crucible was killed when he attempted a left turn on Crucible Road at a high rate of speed at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

The 1989 Dodge Ram truck operated by Udovich reportedly traveled off the southern portion of the road, hit a guardrail and struck a concrete bridge abutment. Udovich, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle, police said.

Police noted that after Udovich was thrown from the truck, the vehicle continued to rotate until it came to rest on its right side, with its left rear on top of the bridge. Debris and vehicle parts were strewn all over Crucible Road, requiring officers to close it for about four hours.

Police determined that the initial cause of the accident was speed, but they are continuing their investigation.

Deputy Greene County Coroner Bill Lewis pronounced Udovich dead at the scene.

Udovich was born March 12, 1978, in Morgantown, W.Va.

He resided with his parents, Lawrence “Hobo” and Sharon R. Phillips Udovich of Crucible.

A 1996 graduate of Carmichaels Area High School and 1999 graduate of the Diesel Institute of America, Grantsville, Md., he was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Crucible, and was employed as a diesel mechanic at 3D Trucking in Uniontown.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing his guitar and riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a brother, Michael A. Udovich, at home and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Lena Udovich, and his maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Ewing Phillips.

Friends will be received at the Yoskovich Funeral Home, Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 S. Vine St., Route 88, Carmichaels, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where a blessing service will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

A Mass of Christian burial follows at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Crucible, with the Rev. Fr. John M. Bauer as celebrant.

Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Crucible.

A vigil service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 7 p.m.