Feb 19, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 1 min read

SPRINGFIELD TWP. – A Normalville man was killed Sunday when his sports utility vehicle crashed into a pole. Richard A. Doppelheuer, 52, of 43 School House Road, was pronounced dead by Fayette County Deputy Coroner Alvin Sapp at 3:05 p.m.

State police trooper John Peters said Doppelheuer was traveling south on Route 711, also known as Springfield Pike, when the accident occurred around 1:30 p.m.

Peters, in a news release, stated Doppelheuer lost control of his 1998 Ford Explorer and traveled off the roadway, crashing into the utility pole.

Peters did not say if icy roads were a contributing factor.

Fayette County Deputy Coroner Roger Victor said it took extra time to get to the scene of the accident, noting that roads were in “deplorable condition.”

Victor said Doppelheuer was dead on scene.

Emergency personnel said it took about 45 minutes to extricate Doppelheuer’s body from the vehicle.

Electric wires touching the vehicle had to be shut off before the extrication could take place, officials on scene said.

A spokesman for Fayette County 911 said volunteer fire departments from Normalville, Saltlick and Connellsville were on scene, as were crews from Allegheny Power.