Driver Charged with Hitting Pa. Fire Police Member

July 26--VINCO -- A Mineral Point man has been charged with running down a fire police official Monday at the scene of a crash on William Penn Avenue in Jackson Township that killed a motorcyclist.

Township police charged Calvin A. Keener, 62, of the 100 block of Bartlebaugh Road, with misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and duty of driver in emergency response areas. He also is charged with reckless driving and careless driving, both summary offenses.

Police said Terry Lee Crouse was directing traffic around the scene of a motorcycle and tri-axle truck crash when he was struck by the vehicle Keener was driving.

According to a police criminal complaint, Keener "stated he didn't see Crouse, who was wearing all required protective gear including a reflective vest."

Crouse suffered a broken right ankle.

After striking Crouse, "the vehicle then continued about 15 feet and the driver exited the vehicle and started walking to Crouse," the complaint said.

"Keener stated he didn't hit him that hard and was very sorry."

Keener could not be reached for comment Friday.

District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi, a friend of Crouse, recused herself from hearing the case. Cambria County Court Administrator William Valko will send the case to another magistrate.

Nathan Kubat, 29, of Jackson Township, was riding a motorcycle when he apparently struck the side of a tri-axle truck at the intersection of William Penn and Pike Road.

He was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, where he died Wednesday from a head injury. The tri-axle truck driver, Leroy Bender, 53, of Ebensburg, was not injured.

Police continue to investigate the crash.

Patrick Buchnowski is a reporter with The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @PatBuchnowskiTD.

Copyright 2014 - The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.