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1 Dead, Charges Pending In North Franklin Twp. Crash

NORTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- One man is dead following a violent crash involving a motorcycle and pickup truck Tuesday morning in Washington County.

Police say the accident happened when the driver of a pickup truck tried to pass a garbage truck in a no-passing zone.

The crash, which happened along Route 18 at Park Avenue near Sycamore Lane in North Franklin Township, left wreckage all over the road.

According to investigators, it all stemmed from what they are calling impatience behind the wheel.

The Washington County Coroner's Office has identified the motorcyclist who was killed as 55-year-old Francis Kubacki. His motorcycle was thrown backward 25-yards by the impact.

"He's a just beautiful, wonderful, person," Carol, a neighbor, said. "He's just so giving."

Kubacki had two sons and three grandchildren. He worked as a machinist for 32 years at Washington Rotating.

He was also a veteran volunteer firefighter and a constable.

"Frank was a real good guy," Don Greer, chief constable, said. "Everything he did, he did it the right way, did it by the book."

"He would give his life to save somebody else," he added.

The male driver of the red Ford F150 pickup truck believed involved was taken into custody. The man sat in the back of a police cruiser while clean up continued this morning.

Police have not yet identified him.

The accident isn't the first on that stretch of road. Officials say past illegal passing resulted in so many accidents that this part of Route 18 has multiple no passing signs on the road side.

Charges against the driver of the pickup truck are pending.

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