05/17/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Pittsburgh, PA – A Beechview man was killed Thursday, May 13, 2010, after he was struck by a U-Haul trailer that broke loose from the pick-up truck that was hauling it, as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. The accident occurred outside his Lincoln-Lemington business.
John Metzler, 46, was a local artist who carved wooden sculptures out of harvested trees. He owned a business named Urban Tree Forge that used local trees to construct furniture, sculptures, flooring and other products.
Metzler was using a chain saw and wearing earmuffs at the time of the accident, making it nearly impossible for him to have any knowledge of the oncoming trailer that hurdled towards him.
Investigators reported the driver of the truck, who was not identified, was helping a woman move. They said the Iraq war veteran was returning the trailer to the U-Haul center when it broke free after hitting a divot in the road, crossed through a parking area and struck Metzler. The trailer traveled a total of 200 yards before striking the man. Investigators are looking into whether the U-Haul was properly hitched to the truck.
Metzler was a highly regarded artist in the area, according to fellow artist Reid Crosby, of Greensburg. Crosby described the man as “creating a community of people who were interested in the same kind of art he was…He was never competitive. He will really be missed.”
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