Sep 22, 2006 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

A 56-year-old McKeesport woman was killed Thursday morning after a three-car accident involving a tractor-trailer on Route 51 in North Union Township. Fayette County Deputy Coroner Alvin Sapp pronounced Diane Marie Miller of Cleveland Street dead at the scene near the intersection of Route 51 and Crawford Avenue at 9 a.m.

According to Deputy Coroner Marisa Springer, the cause of death has yet to be determined, but will likely be due to blunt force trauma.

The official cause of death is also pending toxicology tests, Springer said.

An autopsy is not planned.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Bradley Rutzky, 42, of Hanoverton, Ohio, as well as the driver of the third vehicle, Patricia Hughes, 42, of Uniontown, were not injured in the crash.

State police trooper Amanda Ludi said Miller and Hughes were traveling southbound on Route 51 around 8 a.m. when Miller’s vehicle traveled over the centerline into the northbound lane.

Ludi said Miller’s vehicle then collided with Rutzky’s vehicle, a 1996 International truck, and was forced back into the southbound lane where it collided with Hughes’ vehicle.

Ludi noted that Miller was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and her vehicle sustained severe damage.

Route 51 was closed for about two hours while crews worked to free Miller from her vehicle and clear the roadway, officials said.

According to officials, volunteer firefighters from North Union Township and West Leisenring along with emergency personnel from the state police and Uniontown Fireman’s Ambulance responded to the crash.

The Jay Cox – Jaworski Funeral Home in McKeesport is handling funeral arrangements.