Published: April 23, 2009 10:32 am      

NEW – Black Lick Township man dies in motor vehicle accident early this morning

The Indiana County coroner’s office has confirmed the death of a Black Lick, Indiana County, man early this morning as a result of an overnight motor vehicle accident.

According to Mike Baker, coroner, 61-year-old Richard L. Harmon was killed at approximately 12:12 a.m. when the 1994 Jeep Cherokee SUV he was driving failed to properly negotiate a curve and left the roadway on Black Lick Road. Baker said Harmon died of asphyzia due to compression trauma to the neck when he was partially ejected from the driver-side door of the vehicle. According to state police, he was not wearing a seat belt.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:56 a.m. No autopsy is planned. Toxicology test are pending.

The state police were assisted at the scene by Black Lick Volunteer Fire Department.