Man dead after car crashes into utility pole, 2 trees then catches fire in Mercer County

MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man is dead after a late night crash in Mercer County where his car hit a utility pole, two trees and then caught on fire.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, the crash happened on Sandy Lake Road in Mill Creek Township just before 10 p.m. Friday.

Police said Donald Cochran, 41, from Grove City, was driving northbound when he failed to negotiate a left hand turn and left the right side of the roadway.

Cochran’s car hit a utility pole, which it sheared, and started rotating clockwise which caused it to go partially airborne on its driver’s side wheels.

The car then hit a tree with the front portion and a second tree with its front roof portion severely collapsing the roof, state police said.

After coming to its final rest at the base of the second tree, the car caught on fire.

Cochran was pronounced dead at the scene.

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