Man killed in Route 119 crash
DUNBAR TWP. – A Route 119 accident killed a Smithfield man on his way to work Saturday morning after his vehicle crossed into the southbound lane and into the path of a tractor-trailer. Justin Kingan, 21 of Smithfield was pronounced dead at the scene near Monarch Road from blunt force trauma to the head and face at 9:50 a.m.
According to state police, Kingan was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected about 25 feet from his 1993 Ford Coupe after he passed a car in the northbound lane of the highway then traveled into the median, where he lost control of the vehicle.
Kingan’s vehicle, police said, then traveled into the southbound lanes and into the path of a 2003 Peterbilt tractor-trailer driven by Fredrick Hoke, 55, of Mount Pleasant. Police said Hoke, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered a minor injury.
While the state police report did not specify unsafe road conditions, Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly said the median may have been unsafe.
“While the roads may have been fine, the median may not have been,” said Reilly. “There may have been ice, snow or gravel on the median that caused his car to spin out.”
Saturday morning, Route 119 lanes were free of snow, according to state Department of Transportation reports.
At noon, three PennDOT workers were requested to assist state police with traffic control on Route 119, but PennDOT received no calls for snow or ice removal.
Reilly said Kingan was knocked unconscious in the collision and did not suffer.
The coroner noted that although Kingan’s blood has not been officially analyzed, alcohol is not suspected in the crash.
He said Kingan was on his way to work at Richard Chevrolet at the time of the accident, which occurred at 8:44 a.m. near the Ye Olde Inne and Fayette County Fairgrounds.
Reilly said an inquest might be necessary because two vehicles were involved.
Funeral arrangements for Kingan are incomplete and will be announced by the Goldsboro-Tomi Funeral Home of Fairchance.