Longtime newspaper worker killed in head-on crash weeks before retirement, PA cops say

A newspaper pressman weeks from retiring was killed in a head-on crash while leaving work, according to Pennsylvania police and media reports.

The crash happened around 1:15 a.m. Thursday, May 4, in Franklin Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

A Honda CRV being driven by a 24-year-old woman crossed the center line, striking the Toyota Camry operated by 65-year-old James Barge, state police said. Barge died at the scene.

Barge had reportedly worked for nearly 10 years at the Butler Eagle, a daily newspaper in Butler County.

“He had just left his shift here and was on his way home to New Castle when the accident happened,” Butler Eagle general manager Tammy Schuey told WPXI.

The driver of the Camry was taken to a hospital in Pittsburgh, state police said. A charge of “homicide by vehicle while driving under (the) influence” is pending further investigation, according to a police report.

Barge was described as “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet,” Schuey told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His retirement was two weeks away.

The Butler Eagle said Barge was looking forward to spending time with his wife, their children and grandchildren during his upcoming retirement.

Before working at the Butler Eagle, Barge worked for a few decades at the New Castle News and its printing company. He previously worked in press rooms at The Youngstown Vindicator and Wall Street Journal, according to the New Castle News.

“He had strong beliefs and morals and would never pass judgment, always offered a listening ear,” his supervisor, Joel Christy, told The Butler Eagle.

This story was originally published May 5, 2023 at 8:19 AM with the headline "Longtime newspaper worker killed in head-on crash weeks before retirement, PA cops say."