Fayette couple killed in 2-vehicle crash on Route 31

A Fayette County couple died from injuries sustained Monday in a two-vehicle crash on Route 31 in Bullskin Township, according to authorities in Allegheny and Fayette counties.

Lee Roy Welker, 70, and his wife, Diane, 69, were killed after the Ford Focus they were in collided with a truck just before 2:30 p.m. along the steep highway stretch, commonly known as Three Mile Hill, at the border of Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

The wreck occurred near the Route 31 intersection with Route 982, near Laurelville.

Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly said Lee Welker died of blunt force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Diane Welker was transported to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, where she was pronounced dead at about 6 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office.

State police in Uniontown said a truck, driven by Thomas Wiencek, 60, no address listed, was eastbound on Route 31 and failed to stop at a red traffic signal at Route 982 and collided with the car, driven by Lee Welker.

Wiencek was not injured, troopers said.

The investigation is continuing, police said.

The highway section was closed until after 5 p.m. for a crash investigation and to allow crews to clear the scene, according to authorities.