Ashton Steedle, 23, and Brody Kimmel, 20, were killed Wednesday afternoon after their vehicle left the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, and crashed into a bridge abutment before catching fire. The deaths of the two young men have left their families and loved ones facing a painful loss.
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Steedle, of Rostraver Township, and Kimmel, of West Newton. Both were found dead inside the vehicle after emergency crews responded to the crash and extinguished the flames.
The crash happened around 4:51 p.m. on Interstate 76. According to the initial reports, the vehicle left the roadway, traveled down a hillside and struck the bridge abutment near Route 136 and Greensburg Road. The impact was followed by a fire that engulfed the vehicle.
A passing motorist reportedly witnessed the incident and alerted emergency dispatchers after seeing the wreck and flames. Fire crews rushed to the scene and worked to put out the fire. Once the blaze was brought under control, responders discovered the two occupants inside the wreckage.
At just 23 and 20, Ashton and Brody were both at an age when so much of life still lay ahead. Their deaths have brought an abrupt end to two lives that mattered deeply to the people who knew them. For their families, the days ahead will bring the difficult task of adjusting to a loss that came without warning.
Investigators are still working to establish exactly what happened before the vehicle left the roadway. Authorities have not publicly confirmed what caused the driver to lose control. Speed, distraction and mechanical problems have not been identified as contributing factors, and no charges have been announced.
The coroner’s office has also said that the cause and manner of death remain pending. State police are handling the investigation and have asked anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the New Stanton station at 724-755-9463.
For the families of Ashton Steedle and Brody Kimmel, the loss goes far beyond the details of a highway crash. Two young men who should have had many more years ahead of them are now being mourned by those who loved them. Their memories will remain with the people whose lives they touched.