Published: July 23, 2008 09:51 am            

Bedford County man killed in crash

SCHELLSBURG — A local man was killed Tuesday afternoon when his car went out of control and crashed as he was attempting to pass another vehicle on Route 96 in Napier Township.

State police in Bedford County said that Kyle L. Walker, 20, was not wearing a seat belt when his car collided with an oncoming tri-axle truck at 4:44 p.m.

Walker was traveling south on the road at a rate of high speed, police said. As he was attempting to pass another vehicle, he apparently realized he did not have enough room to do that because of an oncoming truck, police said.

He applied his brakes, lost control and hit the northbound truck, police said. The trucker, Michael L. Berkebile, 32, of Windber, was not injured, police said.

In other police-related news:

n State police said charges are expected against a juvenile who stopped at Herring Motors in Somerset to obtain assistance after a tire blowout, paid the bill but then fled with a floor jack.

The incident occurred Saturday evening.

The vehicle was stopped by troopers on the turnpike. The youth and his friends were released to their families.

• The preliminary hearing for Northern Cambria Borough’s street commissioner, who is facing a simple assault charge, has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at District Judge Michael Zungali’s office in Hastings.

Dave Suchar of the 200 block of Hickory Street was charged by Northern Cambria Borough police on July 1 after he and borough resident Walter Drzal got into a fistfight shortly after 3 p.m.

Police say Suchar was not on duty when the fight occurred.

Drzal, of the 1100 block of Bigler Avenue, is facing similar charges and will appear in court at the same time.

• A Morrellville father and son will face Cambria County Court action on charges they fought with police when officers were arresting the son for threatening to shoot his girlfriend.

Jermaine Anthony Simms, 29, and Paul Simms Jr., 55, both of the 400 block of Decker Avenue, each waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge Michael Musulin of downtown Johnstown. Both were returned to the Cambria County Prison in lieu of bail.

Johnstown police said they were called to the Oakhurst Homes late July 14 on a report of a man with a weapon.

Police said that man, the younger Simms, fled to his residence where he fought with an officer who was placing him under arrest. Other officers arrived to assist. The elder Simms then arrived and began fighting with officers, police said.

• State police are looking for whomever broke into the Addison Township home of Duane Dittman on Saturday.

Stolen items include a .22-caliber rifle, an Xbox video game console and various games, liquor, two sleeping bags, binoculars, two-way radios and chargers, and a Sony DVD player.

Anyone with information may contact state police: 445-4104.

• A Moxham man will face Cambria County Court action on charges he molested a young girl in Johnstown with whom he was acquainted.

Zachory King Ritchie, 22, of the 100 block of Ohio Street, waived his right to a preliminary hearing July 17 before District Judge Leonard Grecek of Roxbury. Ritchie had been lodged in the Cambria County Prison on the charges but was released Wednesday after posting bail.

Ritchie was charged in May by Johnstown police with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Police said the incident took place around May 1, 2006. The girl initially was afraid to tell anyone about the incident, but in March told her father.

Authorities then were notified and began investigating.

        

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