Motorcyclist Killed In Overnight Crash On Homestead Grays Bridge
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HOMESTEAD (KDKA) -- An overnight crash on the Homestead Grays Bridge killed a motorcyclist.
The crash happened just before 12:30 a.m. and shut down the bridge for nearly five hours.
Family members of the victim tell KDKA that the crash involved a motorcycle and a car. They say the motorcyclist hit the back of a Volkswagen, throwing him off the motorcycle, and over the car.
A third car was involved, the motorcycle struck it as it skidded away after the initial impact.
"The cyclist collided with the one car, flew over that car and once separated from the bike- the bike then impacted another car," said Chief Jeff DeSimone, Homestead Police Department.
When KDKA's crews arrived, we saw pieces of that motorcycle and other debris in the roadway. We also saw a tarp over the top of a car.
The Homestead Police chief says he believes speed was a factor in the crash. He said the motorcyclist may not have had time to stop.
"Speed kills," said Chief DeSimone. "Slow down. It's tempting, especially on a motorcycle, to come across a span and with no stops and no lights and crank it open, but it just doesn't pay."
Construction work was happening on the Homestead Grays Bridge at the time of the crash. Until June, one lane in each direction is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays. KDKA saw the large flashing signs with arrows to remind drivers of the change of traffic patterns.
No construction workers were injured by the flying debris, but they did tell detectives that they heard the hum of the motorcycle engine approaching.
The victim has been identified as 41-year-old Gary Lamont Butler Jr., of Penn Hills Township.
KDKA's Meghan Schiller Reports:
Homestead Police and Allegheny County Crime Scene Investigators were on scene throughout the night.
One of the drivers of the other vehicles was treated at the scene for some minor injuries.
"I heard preliminary reports that 1 of the drivers was treated for some injury," said Chief DeSimone. "I don't know what that injury is and the vehicles were towed from the bridge."
Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477).
