Zelienople, PA : Dump truck crashes into Zelienople church near the intersection of Route 68 and East Grandview Avenue on Monday 14, 2014

A tri-axle dump truck that crashed into Park United Presbyterian Church in Zelienople on Monday shattered its brick facade and sounded to witnesses like a multi-car pileup.

The truck, owned by Diamond Head Trucking of Ambridge, was headed west on Route 68 when it veered off the road, sheared a power line, hit some street signs and a car parked in a lot beside the church, then plowed into the south side of the church on East Grandview Avenue, said the Rev. Paul Merrill, the pastor.

“To me it sounded like a multiple-car collision,” said Merrill, who lives in the manse next to the more than century-old church. “I jumped up and expected to see multiple cars piled up outside.”

The impact knocked down a large portion of the brick facade from the southwest corner of the church, exposing wood beams. There was significant damage in the basement nursery. Rocks and debris scattered, Merrill said.

He could not estimate the cost of the damage. Structural engineers were scheduled to inspect the building during the evening.

The church plans to use a rear fellowship hall to hold Sunday worship services. The hall is filled with items for the church's annual flea market during this weekend's Zelienople Horse Trading Days.

Merrill said they hope to sell all the items to make room in the hall to hold services. The church planned to hold Vacation Bible School next week.

Zelienople police Sgt. Chuck Carlson said the truck driver, whom authorities did not identify, reported having trouble with the brakes. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Carlson said Pennsylvania State Police would inspect the truck.

Diamond Head Trucking declined to comment.

The driver was not injured but was “shook up,” Carlson said, and was taken to UPMC Passavant-Cranberry for evaluation.

No one was in the church when the crash happened at 8:42 a.m., Carlson said. Eastbound lanes of Route 68 were closed for hours while crews extracted the truck from the building and towed it.

Sue Verba, 54, of Zelienople said the truck hit her car. She works as office manager at Grandview Dental across from the church. Her 2012 Chevy Cruze had to be towed, but she's glad the crash wasn't worse.

“We're just thankful no one was hurt,” Verba said. “A lot of people use that sidewalk beside the church.”

Source :
Dump truck crashes into Zelienople church; driver blames brakes