A man killed in a two-vehicle crash early Thursday morning in Butler County had just finished his shift as a printer at the Butler Eagle and was headed home to New Castle.

Pennsylvania State Police said 65-year-old James Barge died at the scene of the crash, which occurred about 1:15 a.m. on Route 422 in Franklin Township.

Police said 24-year-old Kassandra Clyde was driving east on Route 422 when her vehicle crossed a solid yellow line, a turning lane and another yellow line before hitting Mr. Barge’s vehicle. 

Ms. Clyde was taken to the Allegheny General Hospital in serious condition, police said, and charges were pending against her.

Both drivers were using their seat belts.

“We’re just devastated by this,” Butler Eagle General Manager Tammy Schuey said Thursday. She called Mr. Barge “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet” and said he was looking forward to his retirement in two weeks and spending time with his family.

She said he had helped print the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Thursday edition and then the Eagle’s edition before finishing his shift early Thursday. He had worked at the paper for a couple stints, most recently rejoining in 2021.

The New Castle News reported Thursday that Mr. Barge had also been a longtime former employee of the New Castle News and its printing company, West Penn Printing. It said he followed in the footsteps of his father, Russell D. Barge, who died on May 14 last year. The elder Barge had been a printer at the New Castle News for 43 years.

First Published: May 4, 2023, 11:33 a.m.
Updated: May 5, 2023, 10:13 a.m.