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Mixer truck ends up in ravine

A cement truck flipped over in a ravine after hitting a dump truck on Route 228 in Middlesex Twp.
Route 228 closed for 5 hours

MIDDLESEX TWP — The driver of a cement mixer truck escaped serious injury Tuesday morning when his vehicle, loaded with cement, crashed through a guardrail and rolled down a 20-foot embankment on Route 228, authorities said.

Vincent C. Messini, 37, of Cheswick, Allegheny County, had to kick out the truck's windshield but he got out safely with the help of other motorists who rushed to help.

A Quality Ambulance crew tended to Messini before taking him to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. His condition was not immediately known.

The 10:40 a.m. crash remains under investigation, said Middlesex Township police Sgt. Randy Ruediger.

Investigators said the wreck happened after Matthew Hipps, 53, of Clearfield slammed on the brakes of his triaxle dump truck that was traveling east on Route 228 about one mile west of Route 8.

Hipps told police that he hit the brakes when a pickup truck in front of him abruptly stopped to make a left turn onto Davis Road.

“The guy didn't even use his turn signals,” Hipps said of the pickup driver.

Ruediger said police could not immediately confirm the pickup or identify the driver, who did not stop at the scene.

Hipps was able to avoid hitting the pickup but his truck, owned by Samuel J. Lansberry Inc., of Woodland, Clearfield County, fishtailed into the opposing lane.

Messini's westbound mixer truck, owned by Crystal Concrete of Saxonburg, in turn, struck the rear, driver's side of the dump truck, police said.

The mixer traveled another 15 to 20 yards before veering into the eastbound lane. Distinctive skid marks on the road indicated Messini's efforts to brake to a stop.

But the mixer struck the guardrail and tumbled down the embankment, ending on its passenger side, police said. Messini was wearing a seat belt.

“I ran over the bank to check on the driver,” Hipps said. “(Messini) said he couldn't get out. He had to kick out the windshield.”

Hipps said that he and two other motorists helped steady Messini and ease him down from the mangled mixer.

“He had just a little bump on his head,” Hipps said.

Police said any injuries did not appear serious.“He was pretty shook up but he seems to be OK,” Ruediger said of Messini. “He took a little bit of a ride; I'd be shook up, too.”The accident closed Route 228 between Route 8 and the Mars Centennial School in Adams Township for about five hours to allow a pair of heavy wreckers to team up and pull the mixer up the embankment.The dump truck also sustained heavy rear-end damage and it, too, needed a tow.The road reopened just before 4 p.m.The wreck had Hipps shaking his head.“I've just started working (at Lansberry) three weeks ago,” he said. “I've never been in an accident in my life.”

A cement mixer truck ended up on its side in a ravine along Route 228 in Middlesex Township following a crash Tuesday morning. The driver was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries. The wreck closed the road for about five hours.

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