Tragic Outcome in Hermitage: Pedestrian Dies Days After Being Struck
George Horbatuck Obituary, Death – A solemn update has emerged from Hermitage, Pennsylvania, following a serious traffic accident last week, confirming that the pedestrian involved in the collision has tragically succumbed to his injuries. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, around 6 p.m., has since escalated into a fatal crash investigation as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the death.
The victim has been identified by Hermitage Police Chief Adam Piccirillo as George Horbatuck, 44, of Wheatland. The initial emergency call brought officers to the 1100 block of Mercer Avenue just after 6:00 PM, a time when visibility would have been significantly reduced and traffic flow potentially heavier due to the evening commute. When law enforcement and first responders arrived on the scene, they found that a man, later identified as Horbatuck, had been struck by a moving vehicle.
The subsequent investigation immediately commenced to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. According to the preliminary findings released by investigators, George Horbatuck was proceeding along Mercer Avenue in a manner that may have contributed to the tragic outcome. Evidence suggests Horbatuck was walking northbound, utilizing the southbound shoulder of the road. This detail is significant, as pedestrians walking along a roadway without sidewalks are generally advised to walk facing oncoming traffic for better visibility and reaction time. In this case, Horbatuck was reportedly on the side of the road designated for southbound travel, walking in the same direction as the vehicle that ultimately hit him.
The driver of the striking vehicle was identified as a 57-year-old man, a resident of West Middlesex. The vehicle he was operating was traveling southbound on Mercer Avenue when it made contact with Horbatuck. The force and nature of the impact are currently under intense scrutiny by the investigative team, who are working to map out factors such as speed, lighting conditions, and potential distractions for both the pedestrian and the driver.
The injuries sustained by Horbatuck in the initial collision were immediately apparent as severe. Emergency medical services were quickly deployed to the scene, and Horbatuck was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for urgent treatment. Given the critical nature of his condition, doctors decided to transfer him immediately to a regional trauma center, a facility equipped to handle the most severe and life-threatening injuries. For several days, Horbatuck fought for his life, but unfortunately, the trauma proved too great. Hermitage Police Chief Piccirillo confirmed that Horbatuck passed away on Saturday, just three days after the collision.
The death of Horbatuck marks a shift in the nature of the ongoing police work, transforming it from a serious injury accident investigation into a fatal accident probe. As is standard practice in such profound cases, authorities must meticulously examine every piece of evidence, including vehicle maintenance records, driver history, witness statements, and physical evidence collected at the scene. They are tasked with definitively establishing if any violation of motor vehicle code or act of negligence contributed to the crash.
As of the latest reports, Chief Piccirillo confirmed that the investigation remains active and exhaustive. Authorities have not yet filed any criminal or traffic-related charges against the driver from West Middlesex. The absence of immediate charges indicates the complexity of the incident, requiring careful analysis before any conclusions about culpability can be drawn. The thoroughness of the inquiry is essential to ensure that justice is served, providing clarity and closure to the victim’s family and the involved driver.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on roadways, particularly in the evening hours and when walking outside of designated pedestrian zones. The police continue their work, and further updates are expected upon the conclusion of their investigation into the fatal events on Mercer Avenue.
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