Two students killed in car crash in Unity

Two University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg students were killed Thursday after their car crashed in a possible race with another vehicle in Unity, police said.

The victims were James R. Stulga, 19, of Tanglewood Court, Manor, and Brian P. Shervin, 19, of Landisville, Lancaster County, who was a passenger in Stulga's vehicle, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office.

State police at Greensburg said Stulga and Shervin were speeding in a 1999 Audi A4 when Stulga lost control shortly before 11 p.m. on Route 130, about a quarter mile west of Clark Road and two miles from Pleasant Unity.

After Stulga lost control, the Audi struck trees and split in half, said Trooper Jeanne Martin, spokeswoman for Troop A, based in Greensburg.

Police are looking for a yellow Volkswagen Golf GTI that may have been involved in the race. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle.

"It's a possibility," Martin said of the two vehicles racing.

State police asked anyone with information about the wreck to call them at 724-832-3288.

The two men were pronounced dead at the scene early Friday morning by Westmoreland County Deputy Coroner Dennis Johns.

"We are saddened to hear about this tragic accident involving two of our students, and we want to extend our sympathies to the families of James and Brian," said Wendy Mackall, spokeswoman for the Pitt campus located in Hempfield.

"Both of them were outstanding young men with promising futures, and their loss will be felt by the Pitt-Greensburg community as well."

Both men were to be sophomores in the fall. Stulga was a management major, while Shervin was taking engineering courses, university records showed.

The section of road includes a straight stretch but it has a large dip.

Unity Supervisor Michael O'Barto said he the location is not known as a popular spot for drag racing.

"To my knowledge, in that area, there have not been a lot of accidents," he said.

Only a few students were on the university campus yesterday, taking part in summer classes.

Mackall said any students in need of counseling because of the tragedy can call the campus counseling center at 724-836-9870.

Stulga is survived by his parents, Mark Stulga of Shadyside and Lindi Jollie Stulga of Manor; two sisters, Elizabeth Stulga, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, and Anna Stulga, a Penn-Trafford School District student; his maternal grandfather, Jack Jollie of North Huntingdon; and paternal grandparents Mary and Ray Yenavich of White Oak.

Additional survivors are his stepfather, Paul Innamorato; aunts and uncles, Bill and Angela Jollie, Kevin and Jennifer Jollie, Tom Jollie, Barb Jollie and Ed and Elizabeth Stulga.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc., Clay Pike, North Huntingdon.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday in the Immaculate Conception Church in Irwin.