Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Tractor-Trailer On I-79 In Butler Co.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A pedestrian who was struck by a tractor-trailer along Interstate 79 in Butler County on Thursday morning died on Thursday night, according to the medical examiner.
According to police, it happened near mile marker 83 in Jackson Township around 8 a.m.
State Police Trooper Dan Kesten says the victim, 39-year-old Devin Thomson, had parked his car on the shoulder of I-79 and then ran across the highway in front of the tractor-trailer.
"He was in the northern lane and the pedestrian ran from the eastern side of the road into his lane," Trooper Kesten said.
Thomson was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died.
The truck driver told investigators he did everything he could to avoid the man, including hitting the brakes and swerving into the left lane. The truck is equipped with a video camera and proves the driver did what he told investigators.
"We were able to review some video from the truck. We have no reason to believe the driver was not traveling within the speed limit," Trooper Kesten said.
The truck driver was visibly shaken. He was the person who called 911 to report that he hit a pedestrian.
As to why Thomson ran onto the road, investigators say they don't know, but it is a part of this investigation.