Local trucker dies in crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Norman L. Tuttle, 45, of Presque Isle, was killed the morning of April 19 in a two-vehicle accident as he traveled along Route 125, between Pitman and Hegins, in Schuylkill County, Penn.
Trooper Mark F Baron, Pennsylvania State Police, responded to investigate.
Tuttle was reportedly driving his 2006 Peterbilt tractor-trailer truck north on Route 125 in Eldred Township while transporting a load of potatoes for Chamberlain Farms. Police indicate Tuttle was driving too fast to safely make a hard right-hand turn in the roadway, which caused the rear portion of his tractor-trailer to hit another vehicle, a 1999 International 4700 operated by Carl Adams, 52, of Klingerstown, Penn.
Adams was transporting about 200 bales of hay when his vehicle was struck by Tuttle’s, causing Adams’ southbound vehicle to roll onto its passenger side. Police indicated Tuttle’s truck then rolled on its driver’s side, sliding off the roadway into an embankment.
Tuttle was thrown from his truck and subsequently pinned beneath the trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Wallace Hodgson. Adams was able to free himself and was sent to Schulylkill Medical Center South in Pottsville for treatment of minor injuries. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt.
The area of road where the accident occurred, according to police, is marked with signs warning truck drivers of steep grades and sharp turns, which have resulted in many accidents over the years.
Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene by Hammer’s Towing in Minersville.
Assisting at the scene were several troopers, as well as firefighters from Hegins, Klingerstown, Mahantongo, Sacramento and Gratz fire companies, and personnel from Hegins Ambulance.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Wesleyan Church in Presque Isle.
