SALEM TWP, Mercer County — A Greenville-West Salem police officer and his son were killed Thursday after their car collided with a tractor trailer on Greenville Sheakleyville Road.

State police in Mercer said Jeremiah L. Christner, 41, was driving westbound when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed into the eastbound lane.

His car was struck by an International 4700 rig driven by Tomekin W. McDougall, 29, of Sharon.

“Our department has lost a brother officer and friend. We are saddened, by the sudden and tragic loss of Officer Christner and his son,” the Greenville-West Salem Police Department wrote on its Facebook page.

State police did not identify Christner’s son or his age.

Both McDougall and a 30-year-old passenger in his rig were taken to Greenville Hospital with injuries.

State Police in Mercer responded to another fatal accident later in the day.

Police said Larry E. Bennett Jr., 24, of Pittsburgh was killed in a one-car crash on Interstate 79, near mile-marker 115 in Findley Township.

The accident occurred sometime between Monday and Thursday.

Police said Bennett’s southbound 2016 Kia Sorrento traveled off the west side of the road and struck several trees before coming to a rest on its driver’s side.

Bennett was not wearing a seat belt. He was reported missing to Pittsburgh Police on Sunday by family members.