State Police in Mercer County report a Grove City man was taken to the hospital after a tree fell on his minivan on interstate 79 in Springfield Township. Police said 67 year old Richard Deniker was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown for treatment. The accident took place about one mile south of the Grove City interchange.
A New Castle man was taken to the hospital after he was struck by a car while riding a bike in Neshannock Township Friday afternoon. Police said the accident took place in the 1800 block of Wilmington Road. 75 year old Rose Leonhardt of Neshannock Township who was operating the vehicle struck 56 year old Christopher McCormick. Police report McCormick was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown for treatment. No other details were released.
One person was killed following a fiery crash in Mill Creek Township Friday night. According to State Police in Mercer County 41-year-old Donald Cochran Jr. of Grove City was operating an SUV that went off a curve along Sandy Lake Road at around 10 p.m. According to police, the SUV sheared a utility pole, went partially airborne, and struck a tree, collapsing the roof of the SUV before catching fire. Cochran was pronounced dead at the scene.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is ending its mandatory mask policy. The policy is being dropped effective today. UPMC reports that masks will still be required in specific patient care areas where patients are particularly vulnerable to infection.
New legislation on gun control is winding its way through the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Four bills, all along party lines, passed through the House Judiciary Committee late last week. The measures would require gun owners to keep a lock on their firearms, to report their guns lost or stolen within 72 hours and close the gun show loophole on background checks. One bill would also create red flag laws, which would allow a judge to temporarily seize a firearm from someone who’s in the middle of a major mental health crisis.
The jury selection process in the prosecution of accused Tree of Life shooter Robert Bowers begins its second week today. Over 80 prospective jurors were questioned by prosecution and defense attorneys last week as the court works to put together a panel of 12 jurors and six alternated to weight evidence in the case. Bowers is accused of killing eleven people in an attack on the Squirrel Hill synagogue in October of 2018.
Two children and three adults are hospitalized following a fire in Beaver County last night. Crews were called to the scene on Eleventh Street in Ambridge around 8:30 p.m. KDKA-TV reports that a cat was killed in the blaze and other animals were rescued. Additional details on the conditions of those who were transported to hospitals have not yet been released.
An Erie man faces a number of charges following a one vehicle accident in Union Township Sunday morning. State Police report 51 year old Ronald Marzka struck a traffic sign on Interstate 376 at the Mt. Jackson exit. Police said numerous open alcoholic containers were found in and around the vehicle. Marzka who suffered minor injuries faces a number of charges. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
State Police in Mercer County are investigating a hit and run accident in Delaware Township. 28 year old Kevin Brown of Greenville was struck by a vehicle while walking along Mercer Road. Brown told police the driver briefly pulled over then fled the scene. Brown was taken to UPMC Greenville for treatment.
A 16 year old female from Harrisville was taken to the hospital following a one vehicle accident in Concord Township. State Police in Butler County report the 16 year old driver was traveling on Old State Road when she lost control and traveled off the roadway and struck an embankment causing the vehicle to roll over. The girl was taken to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. PSP says the investigation into the accident is continuing.