Two seriously injured in Lower Burrell crash

Two people were flown to a Pittsburgh hospital Tuesday afternoon following a one-car crash on Route 56 in Lower Burrell.

Lower Burrell Police Sgt. Zach Beam said the crash occurred just before 4 p.m. when Austin Sobota, 19, of Arnold lost control of his red Lexus SC400 coupe near the intersection with Hillcrest and Claremont drives.

Beam said witnesses reported Sobota was heading toward Allegheny Township and speeding in the passing lane when he came upon the merge point near the Hill Crest Country Club.

Beam said Sobota tried to brake and move into the right lane abruptly, causing him to lose control and veer into the hillside.

The impact caused the car to flip, throwing his passenger, Christi Lindemuth, 40, of New Kensington, through the windshield, according to Beam.

Sobota reportedly was able to crawl from the car on his own.

Neither Lindemuth nor Sobota was wearing seat belts, Beam said.

Both victims were flown to Allegheny General Hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening, the sergeant said. He indicated Lindemuth was the more seriously injured of the two.

Beam said Sobota will be cited for reckless driving.

No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash.

Eastbound Route 56 was closed for about a half-hour at the intersection with Leechburg and Puckety Church roads while police investigated and the car was towed.

Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.