Driver cited after crash into state police cruiser in Hempfield

A state trooper assisting a disabled motorist along Route 30 in Hempfield escaped serious injury Wednesday when a Jeannette motorist swerved to miss one police cruiser before slamming into a second cruiser.

State police identified the driver as Brian DeFelice, 52.

DeFelice suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg for treatment, police said. DeFelice was not wearing a seat belt, according to police.

The 31-year-old trooper, who was wearing a lap and shoulder belt, also suffered a minor injury but did not require hospital treatment.

Police said the accident occurred at 10:13 a.m. in the eastbound lanes, 200 yards east of the Hempfield Square Drive intersection.

Trooper Jonathan Lindsay reported both police units were stopped with emergency lights activated about 200 yards apart in the right curb lane behind the disabled motorist.

Lindsay reported that DeFelice’s 2002 Nissan sedan approached the emergency scene without slowing down and then swerved to miss the first unit.

“(DeFelice) then abruptly swerved around the first PSP unit to the left hand lane, then drove back into the right curb lane before impacting the second PSP unit.”

DeFelice’s vehicle had to be towed from the scene. Police said DeFelice was cited for careless driving.