Turtle Creek Man Dies After Trying To Break Up Domestic Dispute

TURTLE CREEK (KDKA) – A Turtle Creek man died after being struck in the head while trying to break up a domestic fight between his neighbors this weekend.

According to police, James Payne, 58, of Turtle Creek, died at Forbes Regional Hospital on Sunday after his neighbor struck him in the head.

Payne's neighbor, Danny Washington, 30, was allegedly beating his wife when Payne stepped in.

Police said Washington struck Payne in the head. The manner of his death is considered a homicide.

The fight happened outside Payne's home in the 1200-block of Chestnut Street.

"There was a domestic, a report of a domestic out of the front of the house and the victim went out to intervene and see what he could do to end it and ended up getting assaulted himself," Turtle Creek Police Chief Dale Kraeer said.

Doctors at Forbes Regional Hospital told police they don't believe a weapon was used when Payne was struck.

An autopsy on Payne was completed Monday.

Turtle Creek Police arrested Washington at his home Saturday night. He was taken to jail and police say he could face a homicide charge.

"[Washington] had fled the scene, we issued a warrant for aggravated assault," Kraeer said. "We wish our community was a little better than it is, but we do have our share of crime."

The case has been turned over to Allegheny County Homicide.

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