Vandergrift man killed in head-on truck crash on Route 56 in Kiski Township

One person was killed and another was taken to a hospital with serious injuries when two trucks crashed head-on Wednesday on Route 56 in Kiski Township.

Michael Shane Bailey, 35, of Vandergrift was killed in the wreck about 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to Armstrong County Deputy Coroner Bob Bower.

Bailey was a passenger in a small dump truck belonging to Cutting Edge Lawn Care and Landscaping of Allegheny Township that was heading away from Apollo on Route 56.

In the area of Lutheran Church Road, it collided with a tractor-trailer loaded with coal and heading toward Apollo.

The driver of the dump truck, Michael Scheaffer, 38, of Avonmore, was taken by ambulance to Forbes Hospital, Kiski Township police Sgt. Christian Disciscio said. He said Scheaffer had moderate to severe injuries, including a head injury, but they were not believed to be life-threatening.

Disciscio identified the tractor-trailer rig driver as Brian Twigg, 60, of Brush Valley; the sergeant said Twigg was not hurt.

The circumstances of the crash remained under investigation, Disciscio said. A state police accident reconstruction team was assisting.

Police seek witness

Although no other vehicles were involved, Disciscio said authorities believe there was a witness to the crash who left the scene before police arrived.

Anyone who saw the crash happen is asked to call Kiski Township police at 724-478-3357.

Route 56 was reopened to traffic just before 5:30 p.m. It had been closed in both directions between Balsiger and Ridge roads since the time of the accident.

Because of the road closure, Apollo-Ridge School District dismissed its high school and middle school students at 2 p.m. so buses could get back in time for the elementary school run.

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer.