Man charged in fatal crash
KITTANNING TWP — State police allege that a Ford City man was driving drunk in November when his pickup truck crossed the center line and slammed head-on into another pickup, killing the other driver.
Police on Monday arrested 23-year-old Jonathon Brandon Miller on four felonies and a list of other charges in the crash on Route 422 in Kittanning Township.
He is in Armstrong County Jail on $75,000 bail.
The collision killed Terry R. McClafferty, 37, of Ford City.
Police said Miller was eastbound on Route 422 about 1:35 a.m. Nov. 3 when his Ford truck crossed the double yellow lines of the highway into oncoming traffic. The truck collided with McClafferty’s westbound Dodge pickup.
Then Armstrong Deputy Coroner Brian K. Myers pronounced McClafferty dead at the scene of massive injuries to his abdomen and thorax.
The wreck closed the highway in Armstrong County, just west of Cornish Road, for more than six hours.
Armstrong County sheriff’s deputies, Kittanning Ambulance and volunteer firefighters from Kittanning Township, Rayburn and Elderton assisted police at the scene.
Miller is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle, all felonies.
Additionally, he is charged with DUI and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors.
Police also cited him for failing to keep right, disregarding traffic lanes, driving too fast for conditions, careless driving, reckless driving and not wearing a seat belt.
