Driver recovering after I-79 overpass crash near Waynesburg

WAYNESBURG – The driver of a water tanker that drove off an Interstate 79 overpass near the Waynesburg exit Thursday is recovering from his injuries at a Pittsburgh hospital.
Dan Tuite, 61, of Washington, underwent surgery Thursday night and again Friday morning for unspecified injuries at Allegheny General Hospital, according to his company. Tuite was listed in serious condition Friday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Tuite was driving south on the interstate about 1:30 p.m. when his Dean’s Water truck went onto the grassy median and ramped off an embankment between the two interstate overpasses. The vehicle landed on Route 188 below, trapping Tuite inside and forcing Waynesburg-Franklin volunteer firefighters to cut him out of the mangled vehicle. No one else was injured in the crash.
Dean’s Water General Manager Lila Zelensky said Tuite originally was to be taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., but medics decided instead to fly him by medical helicopter to Allegheny General in Pittsburgh following the crash.
“He’s doing very well considering everything,” Zelensky said.
State police in Waynesburg are continuing to investigate the crash.