Mini-van hits Fallowfield Township business

Frank Rauchfuss’s Garage sustained extensive damage from the crash.

A car crashed into the side of a Fallowfield Township business around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We arrived on scene to find the vehicle inside of the structure,” Fallowfield Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Chris Ceccarelli. “The gentleman was already out with EMS. I can’t say what his injuries were because we never got to see him.”

The mini-van went over an embankment before hitting the side of Frank Rauchfuss’s Garage, located at 452 Old Route 71.

Also responding were the Charleroi Fire Department and Bentleyville Vol. Fire Dept. Station 11, according to Ceccarelli, who said Fallowfield VFD used both departments’ rescue services for structural support to stabilize the building.

Lock No. 4 Volunteer Fire Company and Washington County Department of Public Safety’s HazMat specialists were also on the scene because of issues with fuel and propane leaks.

“There was a propane tank that he ran over, so it was leaking, and the gasoline was leaking from the vehicle,” Ceccarelli said. “He blew out the back wall, and we didn’t want it falling in on us.”

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the cause of the incident.

Rauchfuss, 77, of Fallowfield told the Mon Valley Independent that the hole in the side of his business is as big as the garage in the front of the building.

According to Rauchfuss, two alignment machines were ruined, along with a machine that holds up the cars. A gas furnace and wiring were also damaged.

“Because at my age, I really should quit, but I can’t sit around and watch television all day,” Rauchfuss said. “I’ve got to be active. I’ll be 78, and I’m still working. I don’t want to quit. I want my stuff back the way it was.”