Monroeville man killed in crash at Keystone Raceway in Derry Township
A Monroeville man was killed Friday after crashing at Keystone Raceway in Derry Township, according to the Westmoreland County coroner.
James R. Baker, 69, was driving a 1936 Ford Roadster on the raceway’s drag track at 2:50 p.m. when the car made a quick right turn. The car hit a guide rail and light pole before rolling over multiple times. Baker was taken by ambulance to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the coroner.
Keystone Raceway has a paved track about a quarter-mile long and regularly holds drag racing events. An event Friday night was canceled, according to the raceway’s Facebook page.
The car was not street legal. Baker was wearing a helmet, a harness and other safety equipment, the coroner said. An autopsy is set for Sunday.
Vaia Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements. State police said they investigated a crash on private property and didn’t release any other details.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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