Published: June 14, 2007 11:45 am         

Elderly Grantsville man dies in Pa. crash

BOYNTON, Pa. - A Grantsville man was killed in a motor vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon on U.S. Route 219 between Boynton and Salisbury, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Mark William Horchler, 84, died at the scene of the 12:17 p.m. crash, and his 83-year-old wife, Florence, suffered severe injuries when a Ford F-350 pickup truck driven by Kevin Joseph Meterko, 44, of Burnside crossed the center line and struck their 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass "nearly head-on," Trooper D.R. Aug-ustine said.

A Cumberland man also sustained minor injuries in the incident. Gordon James Opel, 30, was following Horchler's vehicle in a 1999 Chevrolet Express. His car was also struck by Meterko's truck, Augustine said. Opel, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported for medical treatment by emergency medical services personnel.

Initial reports from Somerset County Control emergency center indicated one person was flown to Conemaugh Hospital in Johnstown by Medstar helicopter.

The highway was closed for more than three hours as emergency crews worked to clear debris from the accident.

Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company and Meyersdale ambulance also responded to the scene.