Westmoreland Co. Man Dies After Jumping From Classic Car Hit By Train
Posted: 8:28 pm EST December 15, 2009Updated: 6:40 pm EST December 16, 2009
DERRY, Pa. -- A Westmoreland County man has died of head injuries suffered when he dove from a newly-purchased classic car that went out of control just before the vehicle was hit by a freight train.
John Struble Jr., 61, of Derry Borough, was found dead at the end of Blair Way near railroad tracks.
Police said he bought a 1965 Pontiac GTO earlier in the day and was returning home with it when the car may have malfunctioned. The Westmoreland County Coroner said Struble died of head injuries suffered when he dove from the vehicle as it sped toward the railroad tracks about 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"He had just purchased the car. It was his dream to have a '65 GTO and he had just realized his dream, said Strubles sister-in-law Stacey Rosa. Pulling around there were mechanical difficulties and he tried to save that and get control and not hit anything."
The empty car came to rest on the tracks and was then hit by a Norfolk Southern freight train.
"There was no one in the car when it got hit by the train. It traveled a good distance down the road and got stuck on the tracks and got hit subsequently," said Derry police Chief Randolph Glick.
Struble bailed out of the car about 50 yards up the alley, hit a flower bed and died from the impact, police said.
Neighbors said they heard the crash and feared the worst.
"We heard it hit the tracks about three times, and it was apparently across the second track. I heard the train coming and told my husband to call 911," said neighbor Carla Smen.
Police believe there may have been a problem with the car. They plan to examine the brakes and accelerator for malfunctions.
Sad indeed. I've always hated railway crossings. As it happens we have none here anymore - the last train rode the rails about 20 years ago; but I'm always careful around tracks when I'm in areas that do have trains.
This a very sad story by all Means. I just can not grabst how it could happen?? The lady in the interview said he was parking the car at the side of the house then it took off?? Pedal must have stuck. Im sure all happened so fast , he could not get out in time. So sad to hear this type of story!!!
I wonder if something can be done to "investigate" the sale of this car.
ie: was the car sold "as is" or "inspected" when purchased?, was there a written sales contract with specified mechanical details of the car?, etc.
No trains on PEI anymore ... the railway started in 1871 and shut down in 1989. It went the full length of the Island. It is now a running/biking/hiking trail.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Very sad. in some states there are no requirements for a mechanical fitness. An accelator return spring falling off or installed incorrectly could have caused the sudden acceleration. I bought a 97 Lumina in florida from the original owner and there was no requirement for a mechanical, just pay the state and county tax,registration and buy a plate and sticker.For our own safety I brought the car to the closest garage and had them do a mechanical fitness using our Ontario standards. The car passed with nothing needed but I had them replace front pads and a hub assembly as it had a slight squeal and I did not like the feel of the bearing. We are going to be driving it so better to be safe than sorry.
Thats horrible. His dream car, and it ends this way. Very sad story. It sounds like the train had nothing to do with the story other than that is where the car happened to come to rest. I would think there were so many better options than bailing from the car, but its easy to say when it wasnt me that it happened to. Condolences to the family. (IMO a throttle stuck wide open is not a reason to panic)
