By JEFF STITT
The driver of the Dodge Journey SUV that crashed through the foundation of an unoccupied apartment building Thursday night in Charleroi has died.
Washington County Coroner S. Timothy Warco said Charles H. Matava, 69, of Charleroi “lost control” of the vehicle and struck a building around 8:58 p.m.
Matava was pronounced dead a short time later in the emergency room at Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township, according to Warco, who said the cause and manner of death are pending.
Charleroi Regional Police are investigating the incident.
Lt. Mike Polinski said police won’t have complete autopsy and toxicology reports back from the coroner’s office for several weeks, but confirmed “nothing appeared to be suspicious” about the accident.
“It was basically a freak accident,” he said. “There were no skid marks. (Matava’s) son said his dad never hit the brakes. It’s unknown why the guy didn’t hit his brakes.”
Polinski couldn’t provide an update on the condition of Matava’s son, who has not been identified. Charleroi fire Chief Robert Whiten Jr. said the 43-year-old was transported to MVH following the crash to have “minor” injuries treated.
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