Sep 8, 2002 By The 2 min read

A Uniontown man was killed Saturday in a head-on collision at the intersection of Coolspring-Jumonville Road and Stronko Lane, North Union Township. State police said Scott Edward Zagata, 37, was westbound on Coolspring-Jumonville Road when he lost control of his vehicle and struck an eastbound vehicle driven by James Herring, 63, of Markleysburg around 1 p.m.

Zagata suffered “major traumatic internal injuries,” according to police. He was taken to Uniontown Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Herring was flown to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition Saturday evening.

A passenger in his vehicle, Goldie Herring, 55, of Markleysburg, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Uniontown Hospital, according to police.

None of the motorists wore a seatbelt, police said.

Police said they do not know what caused Zagata to lose control of his vehicle. An official with the Fayette County coroner’s office said an autopsy has been scheduled for today with the office of Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht to determine the cause of death.

Darlene Zagata said her husband had a heart condition and was not working pending a disability case. He had previously worked in construction and at a McDonald’s restaurant in Uniontown.

“He was a wonderful husband and father. I’m really surprised this happened. It was a shock to us all,” Mrs. Zagata said. “I feel very bad for the other person in the accident. My heart goes out to their family. I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive. I feel awful that this happened. I hope that all is well with them. We’re very sorry this happened.”

Born Aug. 30, 1965, Zagata was a 1983 graduate of Uniontown High School. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Zagata.

In addition to his wife, Zagata is survived by his father, Ronald Zagata of Uniontown; his children, Travis, 14, Tiffany, 13, and Nicholas, 19; stepsons, Jeremy McCoy, 21, of Uniontown, and Jason McCoy, 20, of Uniontown; three sisters, Julia Crossland, Roni Sue Ritz and Tahnee Hughes, all of Uniontown; and a brother, Andrew Zagata, of Uniontown.

The Muriel Lantz Funeral Home of Uniontown is handling arrangements for Zagata.

Editor’s note: Herald-Standard Staff Writer Frances Borsodi Zajac contributed to this report.