Mail Carrier Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency, Crashing Mail Truck Into Porch And Over Hillside

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IRWIN, Pa. (KDKA) -- A mail carrier has died after crashing his mail truck over a hillside, hitting the front porch of a home in Irwin.

The crash happened after 10 a.m. on Main Street.

The mail carrier apparently suffered some sort of medical emergency behind the wheel, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

(Photo Credit: Ross Guidotti/KDKA)

James Richardson lives across the street said he was home when the accident happened.

"My dog barked because she heard the crash I'm assuming," said Richardson.

The mail truck rolled over a hillside, and then slammed into a porch before stopping in a grassy area.

Richardson says that first responders were on the scene within minutes.

"They got to him as quick as they could, got him out of the vehicle," said Richardson.

The driver was taken to the hospital for treatment. But officials now say he has died.

The Westmoreland County Coroner's Office has identified the postal worker as 47-year-old Ronald Sopko, of Murrysville.

No one was in the home at the time of the crash.

(Photo Credit: Ross Guidotti/KDKA)

Main Street was shut down while crews cleared the scene. Richardson said that the part of Main Street where the accident happened has always been a threat.

"Somebody could have been killed or injured and this is a bad section of road," said Richardson.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

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