Kittanning Man Killed In Washington Twp. Motorcycle Crash
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Investigators say they believe speed and weather conditions caused a crash Tuesday morning in Westmoreland County that left a motorcyclist dead.
According to the Washington Township Police chief, the motorcycle collided with a tractor trailer just after 6:30 a.m. at Route 66 and Route 366 in Washington Township.
The police chief says it was still dark outside and there was a thick layer of fog at the time of the crash. But, he says, it's believed speed was the major factor.
Police Chief Scott Slagle says the driver of the tractor trailer, from Chambersburg, had almost completed a left turn onto State Route 366 west when the motorcycle crashed into the back.
Anthony Reefer, 23, of Kittanning, was thrown off the bike and died at the scene.
NOW: Police in Washington Twp., Westmoreland Co. on the scene of a deadly accident, motorcycle vs. tractor trailer at Rt. 66 & 366. #KDKA pic.twitter.com/egSfK6NJNe
— Lisa Washington (@LisaWashing) September 20, 2016
The police chief says several eyewitnesses reported that he was traveling at a high rate of speed as he traveled southbound on Route 66, passing several cars.
The chief says Reefer was wearing a helmet.
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An off-duty Vandergrift police officer saw the crash and called 911.
Traffic was diverted around the scene at the intersection of Routes 66 and 366 while a state police reconstruction team gathered evidence and emergency crews cleared the scene.
The chief says he doesn't expect that the driver of the tractor trailer will face charges in the accident. He will have to undergo a mandatory blood test.
Washington Township Police are investigating the crash.