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Second suit filed over fatal accident on toll road

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The sister of a man killed in a crash that was triggered by a flock of turkeys crossing the Mon-Fayette Expressway nearly two years ago has filed suit in Washington County Court.

Robert John Bishop, 48, of California died May 30, 2017, in his hometown on State Route 43.

Linda J. Smola of Irwin, Westmoreland County, administrator of Bishop’s estate, named as defendants Joseph H. Impiccini Sr., doing business as Impiccini School Buses Inc., of Low Hill Road, Centerville, and Daniel B. Linden, who was driving a box truck on behalf of the state Department of Corrections.

Smola also sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services.

Turkeys crossing the toll road the morning of the crash caused Impiccini to bring his minivan to a sudden stop, according to the suit, and Bishop’s compact sport-utility vehicle had nearly stopped when Linden’s box truck was unable to stop.

The box truck propelled Bishop’s vehicle into a guardrail and came to rest with its front end partially atop its rear.

Smola, who filed a survival action, is seeking funeral expenses, compensation for the loss of Bishop’s earnings and other damages.

Impiccini, in a suit filed earlier this year, claims Linden was texting on a cellphone before the crash. Impiccini suffered back and lung injuries and lacerations and had to have his spleen removed, according to the suit also filed in Washington County Court.

Both he and Linden were transported to Pittsburgh hospitals by helicopter, news account at the time stated.

No court date has been scheduled.

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