A 34-year-old Leechburg man who police say fled the scene of a fatal Kiski Township crash has been arrested and is in custody.
According to law enforcement reports, the man was driving a black Hyundai Santa Fe on Route 56 in Appollo at approximately 2 p.m. when he suddenly made a left hand turn, and onto the path of a small, white car which was being driven by a 61-year-old Apollo man.
The driver of the car was transported to Forbes Hospital. The impact of the crash caused fatal injuries to the driver of the car, including blunt force trauma of the chest and abdomen. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The passenger in his car was flown to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, where he was listed in critical condition.
A female passenger in the Hyundai was also transported to Forbes Hospital; however, police have not released any details regarding her injuries.
Following the crash, the driver of the Hyundai ran off from the site of the accident. He ran down a wooded hill, leaving a trail of his footprints in the snow. Following those tracks, police searched the area around the accident site extensively, utilizing police dogs and helicopters. About two hours after the crash, police spotted the man in downtown Apollo, getting into another person’s car. He immediately surrounded when confronted by police.
Police obtained a search warrant for the man’s blood alcohol content. He is currently being held on several outstanding warrants, including probation revocation. They have not announced what charges they will be filing against him for the fatal accident.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal hit-and-run accident, contact a dedicated Virginia wrongful death attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have for the pain and loss your family has suffered.