Passenger in fatal Rt. 119 wreck in serious condition
A 29-year-old Fairchance man flown for medical treatment following a two-vehicle crash that claimed the life of another man was listed in serious condition Monday. One day following the fatal collision, a spokeswoman for Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., said Earl L. Spiker was being cared for in the surgical intensive care unit.
State police said Spiker was a passenger in a vehicle driven by David E. Thomas, 56, of Uniontown when the crash occurred Sunday afternoon.
Thomas did not survive the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene by Fayette County Deputy Coroner Samantha Victor Whoolery.
According to police, vehicles driven by Thomas and Lori Gabeletto, 30, of Masontown collided on Route 119 near the entrance of the John Kondrla Karlyn Motel around 2:35 p.m.
Trooper Christopher A. Nemes said Thomas’ vehicle, a 1992 Grand Marquis, was hit on the driver’s side.
Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip Reilly said Thomas died from blunt force trauma and suffered head and facial bone fractures and a lethal neck injury.
Nemes said Thomas was wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred, noting that it’s unknown if Spiker was wearing one.
Police identified Kristi Jefferies, 28, of Uniontown as a second passenger in Thomas’ vehicle.
Nemes said Jefferies was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered serious injuries. She was taken by ambulance to Ruby Memorial Hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman said Monday that Jefferies had been released.
Police said Gabeletto, driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, suffered minor injuries, as did her passenger, an 11-year-old Masontown boy.
Both were treated at Uniontown Hospital and released, officials said. Reilly said toxicology tests were being conducted, adding that results are expected back within a week.
Police said Thomas was pulling out of the motel parking lot and Gabeletto was traveling south on Route 119 when the collision occurred.
Following the initial impact, both vehicles came to rest in a field on the east shoulder of Route 119.
Nemes said Thomas’ vehicle spun clockwise following the crash and skidded approximately 75 feet.
Gabeletto’s vehicle, according to Nemes, traveled 90 feet following the impact.