A tech student from Bethel Park was struck and killed by at least one vehicle early today in Indiana County, the coroner’s office said. Andrew Ausefski, 21, a student at WyoTech in Homer City, was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:50 a.m. on Route 119 near the Indiana County Recycling Center, the coroner said. Emergency personnel had been dispatched to the scene after a number of motorists called 911 to report they believed they might have struck a pedestrian in the roadway. Coroner Michael Baker said the victim, who resided in Homer City, might first have been struck at 12:38 a.m.
Emergency personnel found Mr. Ausefski’s vehicle parked along the berm with its flashers blinking and the engine running. Investigators said it appeared the victim had gotten out of his vehicle for unknown reasons, and he already may have been down on the road before he first was struck, the coroner said. None of the drivers’ names has been released, and no charges have been filed. An autopsy will be conducted today to determine the cause of death. Toxicology tests also will be done as part of the investigation. State police also are investigating.
Though the Indiana State Police are investigating the cause of this collision, it is often times difficult to determine early on who is at fault. It is important to hire an attorney early says Finis Price, an attorney with Kentucky Lawyers. All too often police investigators officially say the cause of a crash is unknown yet our accident reconstructionist will tell us otherwise, says attorney Finis Price with Kentucky Lawyers. “Quick response is the key to ensuring all witnesses’ statements are recorded and an accurate picture of the events which took place are captured,” he says.
