Tanker truck drivers cited in crashes
State police have cited two tanker truck drivers involved in separate crashes earlier this month.
James A. Klink, III, 39, of Smithfield, was charged with careless driving and failure to stay in his lane in connection with a March 2 crash at the intersection of Routes 40 and 519 in North Bethlehem Township.
Police said Klink was driving west on Route 40 when he failed to negotiate a right turn onto Route 519 north. The tanker he was driving carrying flowback water from a gas well site overturned and slid across Route 519, striking a dump truck driven by Paul Hotsinpiller, 62, also of Smithfield.
Both drivers were taken to Washington Hospital for treatment. Charges against Klink were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Russell R. Kerr Jr., 42, of Burgettstown, was charged with accidents involving overturned vehicles and failure to drive at a safe speed, stemming from a crash, also on March 2, on Hackney Station Road, Amwell Township. Kerr was driving a tanker that also contained flowback water when it went off the road, down an embankment and overturned, and spilled its contents into a field.
Charges against Kerr, who was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment, were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward.