Motorcyclist killed in collision with tractor-trailer in Washington County
A Scenery Hill man was killed Saturday night when his motorcycle collided with a tractor-trailer in Washington County.
Joseph Smetanka Jr.. 60, was pronounced dead at the scene on Route 40 near 10 Anderson Drive in Amwell Township, according to Washington County Coroner Tim Warco.
Warco said the crash happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. when a motorcycle Smetanka was driving east on Route 40 crashed head-on into the side of a tractor-trailer as it was turning left into the westbound lane of Route 40.
Smetanka wasn’t wearing a helmet and had no passengers on his bike, Warco said.
A ruling on the cause of death is pending completion of an autopsy, he said.
State police are investigating the crash.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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