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Man Arrested In Connection With Fatal Industry Hit-And-Run

BEAVER (KDKA) – A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal pedestrian accident in Beaver County last month.

On Nov. 27, 25-year-old Brandon Bixler died after being struck by a vehicle while walking along State Route 68 in Industry.

William Aeschbacher, 62, of Ohioville, was arrested Tuesday by State Police and Beaver Police in connection with Bixler's death.

Police had been looking for a white vehicle, which was possibly a Honda, since the incident. State police say they made the arrest after receiving a tip that the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run accident was on Aeschbacher's property.

Police responded to the home, seized the vehicle and took Aeschbacher in for questioning. Investigators say he admitted to driving along Route 68 and hitting a dark object around the same time Bixler was struck.

"He needs to rot in jail," Bixler's friend, Jackson Grim, said of the suspect. "He needs to get life in prison is what he needs to get."

According to the Beaver County Times, Aeschbacher said he turned around after striking the object. After a few passes, he realized he had hit a person. He then drove home and didn't tell anyone about the accident.

Aeschbacher is currently being held in the Beaver County Jail. He is facing charges of causing an accident involving death, failing to stop to render aid and failing to notify police of a death.

Family and friends say the loss of Bixler has been hard on them, especially during the holidays.

"He was an outgoing guy. He loved being outdoors, he loved his family. He loved everything," Grim said.

"He was an amazing guy," said Breanna Ours, Bixler's cousin. "He was a hard-working guy. He was amazing."

Family members said Bixler was walking home from Luanne's bar, which is not far from the accident scene and about a mile and a half from his home, when he was fatally hit.

Police say a passing car saw an object along Route 68 and called 911 after they realized it was a person.

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