From staff reports
Mercer state police reported that a Grove City man died in a crash Friday in Mill Creek Township.
Police said Donald L. Cochran Jr., 41, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police said Cochran was driving a 2003 Dodge Durango at 9:59 p.m. northbound on Sandy Lake Road (Route 173) when he failed to negotiate a left-hand turn between Urey School Road and Plants Road.
The vehicle left the right side of the roadway, hit a utility pole with its front end that sheared the pole, and began rotating clockwise, police said.
The vehicle struck a tree head-on, then struck a second tree with its front roof portion severely collapsing the roof, according to Mercer state police. The vehicle then caught fire.
Mercer state police were assisted at the scene by Sandy Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Superior Ambulance Service and the Mercer County Coroner.
