Washington man identified as driver killed in I-79 crash
The former owner of a long-time Washington furniture store was killed early Saturday morning after his sport utility vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer on Interstate 79 southbound between the Canonsburg and Houston exits in Canonsburg.
Stephen Michael Weber, 64, was traveling southbound on I-79 around 1 a.m. when his vehicle struck the rear-end of a tractor-trailer. Weber, who was unrestrained, was pronounced dead at the scene, said Coroner Tim Warco.
State police said the tractor-trailer, driven by Brandon Welc, 30, of Mt. Pleasant, was going south in the right lane and had slowed to go up a hill. The hazard lights on the rig were activated when it was struck from behind. Welc was able to pull off to the right side of the road. He was not injured and there was minor damage to the tractor-trailer.
Weber and his brother, Fred Weber, were the owners of Weber Furniture at 31 E. Chestnut St. The family-run business closed several years ago.
The crash is under investigation by state police. Canonsburg EMS and North Strabane Township Fire Department assisted at the scene. Weber is the second person to die on Washington County roads this year.