Man Faces Numerous Charges In Cranberry Fatal Vehicle Crash

CRANBERRY, PA — An Aliquippa man faces numerous charges in connection with a vehicular crash Sunday that left a Cranberry man dead. The crash occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of Route 19 and Ehrman Road and required the closure of Route 19 for nearly five hours.

Witnesses told police that a U-Haul truck driven by Darren Michael Martin, 34, was speeding while traveling northbound on Route 19. According to police, witnesses said the U-Haul traveled through a steady red signal and struck a vehicle entering Route 19 from Ehrman Road.

The driver of that vehicle, Bertram Forsyth, 46, of Cranberry, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators believe Martin was under the influence of intoxicating substances at the time of the crash, township police said. A blood draw was obtained from Martin but test results were not immediately available on Monday.

Martin was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance; endangering another person, reckless driving and traffic control signal violations.

Martin arraigned by District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz and bond was set at $500,000. He is being housed in the Butler County Prison.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed it is asked to call the township police department at 724-776-5180.