A Pittsburgh man died in a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning in Forest County.
The crash occurred at 7:09 a.m. when a vehicle, driven by Joseph Benz, 61, of Pittsburgh, traveling southbound on Route 66 in Jenks Township crossed the centerline and crashed directly into a box truck, driven by Thomas Johnson, 61, of Masury, Ohio, traveling in the northbound lane, press releases from Marienville state police and Forest County Coroner Norman Wimer said.
Police note that the crash occurred in a passing zone on Route 66 when Benz’ vehicle pulled into the oncoming lane of traffic, striking Johnson’s vehicle head on.
Benz, who was wearing his seatbelt, died on impact, according to the press release from the state police and Wimer. Johnson, who was also wearing his seatbelt, was uninjured, police note.
In addition to state police and the coroner, firefighters from Farmington and Marienville, and Clarion Hospital Emergency Medical Service responded to the scene, along with PennDOT in Clarion and Forest counties.
