Uniontown man suffers injuries following crash
?A Uniontown man suffered injuries Saturday afternoon when he suffered an apparent diabetic emergency while driving in Uniontown and crashed into a utility pole.
Uniontown police Patrolman Thomas Kolencik said Richard Pepe was injured when the Chevrolet Suburban he was operating crashed into the pole on Beeson Avenue near Mark IV Office Supply Co.
When Uniontown police Officer Michael Bittner noticed a Pepe’s white sport-utility vehicle swerving in traffic near the intersection of Morgantown and Robinson streets shortly before the crash, he immediately attempted to stop the vehicle.
Bittner said that Pepe, who officers later learned was having an apparent diabetic emergency, did not stop his vehicle and instead turned right onto Fayette Street from Morgantown Street and then made a second right onto Beeson Avenue while Bittner continued to pursue him at a low rate of speed.
Bittner said that during the brief chase, Pepe’s vehicle nearly struck another vehicle before he crashed the SUV into the utility pole on Beeson, shearing it.
Emergency personnel from Uniontown Firemen’s Ambulance quickly ascertained that Pepe was suffering from a diabetic emergency, stabilized him and then transported him to Uniontown Hospital for treatment.
The vehicle sustained significant front end damage despite the low rate of speed at the time of impact and was towed from the scene.
Bittner said he was thankful that no one tried to cross the street in front of Pepe’s vehicle and that it appeared Pepe’s injuries from the crash were minor.