West Springfield man dies after vehicle loses control on slush and ice, hits other vehicle

GIRARD — A West Springfield man died after his vehicle lost control on slush and ice and collided with another vehicle on Route 5 in Fairview Township on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

The 52-year-old man, identified by Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook as William Newman, died at UPMC Hamot following the crash, which happened on Wednesday at about 1:20 p.m. on West Lake Road, which is Route 5, near Hartley Road, troopers reported.

Cook ruled Newman's death as accidental.

Investigators said Newman was driving west in a 2016 Kia Optima when he began to lose control on the slush and ice on the roadway. His vehicle slid into a 2022 Ford F350, driven by a 32-year-old Warren man, troopers reported.

The driver of the Ford was not injured in the crash, according to state police in Girard.

Route 5 was closed between Route 98 and Fairplain Road while emergency crews were at the scene, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

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