A vehicle struck a tree in Jackson Township around 3:15 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024. The driver was transported to a hospital according to Jackson Township Police.

JACKSON TWP — The first thing Larry Laughlin did when he saw that a red Ford F-250 truck slammed into a tree outside his home a was check to see why no one was getting out of the wrecked vehicle.

“I couldn’t figure out why nobody was coming out of the car so I ran over and opened the door and the gentleman was kind of slumped over,” Laughlin said. “I was trying to grab on his arm and said ‘c’mon lets get out of the car’ and he wasn’t really responding.”

The crash happened Friday, March 8, at about 3:15 p.m., outside the home at 160 Zehner School Road. According to Sgt. Zeke Reed of Jackson Township police, the single-vehicle collision is still under investigation and the driver was taken to a nearby hospital by Harmony Emergency Medical Services.

Police said the collision may have been caused by a medical event.

Laughlin said the driver was nonresponsive and they could hear a “gurgling sound” that he said sounded like a choking.

“I put my hand on him and I thought I picked up a little bit of a pulse,” he said.

According to Laughlin, a neighbor came by and helped get the driver out of the vehicle and they started doing chest compressions before an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer happening by stopped to help.

“They started alternating,” Laughlin said. “Myself and (another neighbor) just started praying over him for life and for God’s glory to show up.”

Laughlin said less than a minute later emergency medical services showed up and, according to Laughlin, started using a defibrillator.

Emergency medical services from Cranberry Township, Harmony, Zelienople and Jackson Township were on the scene.

“It looked like he got his breathing back,” Laughlin said. “Which was tremendous and very welcome.”

Jackson Township police said they had not been given a status on the drivers condition as of Friday evening.