John George Struble Jr., who was killed Tuesday when he jumped or was ejected out of his classic car as it headed toward a moving freight train, was a car buff all of his life, according to friends.

The Westmoreland County Coroner's Office on Wednesday identified Struble Jr., 61, of East Street, Derry, as the victim of the freak accident.

Derry police Chief Randy Glick said Struble was killed about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday after he had picked up a 1965 GTO in Ohio and had driven it back to Derry.

Police said Struble was driving on Blair Way, which slopes toward the railroad tracks, when he jumped or was ejected from his car. The vehicle kept moving until it was ripped apart by a Norfolk Southern freight train.

Police believe the car's brakes or accelerator malfunctioned, causing it to careen out of control.

"The car just continued down the street and onto the tracks, where it was hit," said Chief Deputy Coroner Paul Cycak. "We still aren't certain whether he was ejected or jumped. Police are still looking to interview some witnesses who may have observed the incident."

Struble's body was discovered about 100 yards from the railroad tracks.

"It appears he hit his head on some landscaping timber," Cycak said.

Struble, who died of a fractured skull, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:55 p.m. by Deputy Coroner Joshua Zappone.

"John was around cars all of his life. As couples, we used to all go out to Keystone Raceway (in Derry Township) back in the 1970s to watch races," said Patti Mudge of Derry Township. "He had a GTO back then, and so did I."

"This is so sad -- a tragedy -- because he was such a really nice guy," she said.

He was owner-operator of an auto repair shop, John Struble Sales and Service in Latrobe.

Struble was preceded in death by his father, John G. Struble Sr., of Latrobe, and his mother, Joretta Weltz Struble Kirby, who died Aug. 25 in Cape Fear Hospital in North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Derry; two sons, John "Jay" G. Struble III, of Latrobe and Christopher L. Struble, of Herndon, Va.; a brother, James E. Struble of Derry, and a sister, Joretta Madsen.

John J. Lopatich Funeral Home in Latrobe is in charge of arrangements.

The accident occurred in the same vicinity where three people have been killed along the railroad tracks in Derry Borough this year.

Sheila Singer, 37, and her 2-year-old son, John Smart, of Derry were struck and killed by a Norfolk Southern train Oct. 30 when the stroller Singer was pushing became stuck in the tracks.

On July 16, Douglas E. "D.J." Albright Jr., 15, of South Greensburg was killed by a westbound Norfolk Southern freight train as he crossed those same tracks.

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