Man jailed in 356 wreck
WINFIELD TWP — A Westmoreland County man was high on drugs Sunday afternoon when he lost control of his pickup truck and collided with an oncoming car on Route 356, state police said.
The violent wreck left two Butler County women injured, including the other driver who was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital.
The suspect, Robert J. Dinger, 35, of Whitney, is being held in the Butler County Prison on $75,000 bail following his arrest on two felonies and several other charges.
Police said investigators found suspected heroin and other drug contraband in his wrecked truck. Dinger also admitted using heroin that day, investigators said.
Injured in the crash were Mary Alice Layton, 61, of Connoquenessing, and her passenger, Brookelle Bergbigler, 22, of Butler.
Layton reportedly underwent surgery for undisclosed serious injuries at Allegheny General Hospital and was last reported in fair condition.
Bergbigler was taken by ambulance to Butler Memorial Hospital before being transferred to AGH with unknown injuries. Her condition was not immediately known.
Police said Dinger was traveling south on Route 356 just north of Chapelview Drive about 3 p.m. when his Dodge Ram 1500 swerved into opposing traffic.
Moments later, the truck slammed head-on with Layton’s northbound Hyundai Elantra. The collision left both women trapped inside the car.
Volunteer firefighters had to use a hydraulic rescue tool to cut off the roof and force open the doors to get them out, said Michael Remper, assistant chief for the Winfield Township Volunteer Fire Department.
A medical helicopter landed in a field about 100 yards from the wreck and flew Layton to AGH. Investigators said the injuries were severe but she is expected to recover.
Police at the scene spoke to Dinger, who was not injured. He blamed “steering issues” with the pickup for the crash, according to court documents.
The defendant appeared impaired but denied consuming any alcohol that day; however, a trooper noticed what looked like “track marks” on his right arm, documents said.
A certified drug recognition expert later examined Dinger and determined he was under the influence of drugs. He was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood test.
Police said toxicology reports are pending.
A search of the pickup, documents said, turned up two full stamp bags and one empty bag of suspected heroin, as well as a hypodermic needle.
Dinger was arraigned Monday on two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, a felony.
He also was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of drugs, and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
Additionally, police cited him for disregarding traffic lanes, careless driving and reckless driving.
The wreck closed Route 356 between Winfield and Marwood roads for about five hours. A police accident reconstruction team assisted in the investigation. Police accident reconstruction specialists also were called to assist in the investigation.
