Jan 24, 2008 By Josh Krysak 1 min read

WASHINGTON TWP. – A 22-year-old Perryopolis man was killed Wednesday morning when the vehicle he was driving crashed on Perry Road shortly after midnight in Washington Township. According to Fayette County Deputy Coroner Marisa Springer, Christopher Shawn Bissett was pronounced dead at the scene by deputy coroner Alvin Sapp.

Officials said the crash occurred when Bissett’s car struck and sheared a utility pole, overturned and then caught fire.

Springer said forensic pathologist Dr Cyril Wecht of Allegheny County was conducting an autopsy late Wednesday.

The results were not available as of press time.

The cause of death has not been determined, Springer said.

Bissett, who graduated from Frazier High School in Perryopolis in 2003, enrolled in the Navy and served as a small arms instructor on the Harry S. Truman Aircraft Carrier in the Pershing Gulf during the war in Iraq.

He had returned to his parent’s home in Perry Township in August following four years of service in the military.

Washington Township police, in conjunction with state police, are continuing to investigate the crash, which occurred at 12:30 a.m.

The Blair-Lowther Funeral Home in Perryopolis is handling funeral arrangements for Bissett.