Police: Distracted driving caused Route 8 wreck
BRADY TWP — A Slippery Rock man escaped serious injury Wednesday afternoon, when his Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed into trees along Route 8.
State police say they believe “distracted driving” was to blame for the wreck just before 1 p.m. north of Staff and Hall roads in Brady Township.
Troopers said Jeffrey Moss, 62, was traveling north when he “looked down” and lost control of his Jeep.
The vehicle crossed the center line and traveled over the southbound lane.
“He was crossing the median and headed toward me,” said Kayleigh Thorner, a Slippery Rock University student, who was driving south. “I barely, barely escaped it.”
Thorner, a Michigan resident, said she sped up and swerved to avoid colliding with the other vehicle.
The Jeep went off the road and struck several trees.
“I heard a big boom,” said Jeff Lopez of Butler, who was working at McAvoy Auto Body when the crash happened across the road from the business.
He walked out of the bay where he was working and saw the wrecked Jeep.
“It was still shaking,” he said of the vehicle.
Police said Moss suffered scrapes. His vehicle was severely damaged.
