State Police Investigating Fatal I-70 Crash As DUI, 15-Year-Old Boy Killed
NORTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- State Police are investigating a deadly late-night crash that claimed the life of a teenage boy on Interstate 70 in Washington County.
The crash happened around 11:20 p.m. Thursday on I-70 at the Chestnut Street exit in the North Franklin Township area.
State police say 51-year-old Jonathan Gracey of Wheeling, West Virginia, was behind the wheel of a Honda in the westbound lane when he crashed into the rear of a tractor trailer, losing control of his vehicle and coming to rest against the guardrail.
The passenger-side of the vehicle was badly damaged. Sitting on that side of the car was Gracey's 15-year-old son.
The Washington County Coroner's Office says the teen, identified as Robert Gracey, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say it is unknown if the boy was wearing a seat belt.
Jonathan Gracey was transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital with serious injuries. State Police are investigating the crash as a DUI.
The 27-year-old truck driver, from Jacksonville, Florida, and was not injured.
Officials say both the father of the boy and the truck driver were wearing seat belts.
The highway was shut down for nearly four hours for investigation and cleanup.