MALAGA - A Malaga man was killed Wednesday afternoon in Monroe County when the lawn mower he was driving was struck by a pickup truck.

Joseph "Joe" N. Gallagher, 85, of Malaga, was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash at 1:36 p.m. Wednesday on Ohio 145 near Malaga, which is located between Barnesville and Woodsfield.

The crash occurred as Gallagher was turning north onto Ohio 145 from Monroe County 38, according to Trooper Dennis Wilcox of the St. Clairsville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The lawn mower driven by Gallagher was struck by a southbound 1994 Chevrolet 2500 driven by Michael Aberegg, 24, of Beallsville.

Wilcox said Gallagher, who pulled into the path of Aberegg's vehicle, was at fault in the crash, as he failed to yield to Aberegg's vehicle. He said Aberegg swerved to the left to avoid the collision, and there was only slight contact between the two vehicles. However, Gallagher was ejected from the lawn mower. His body was found 40 feet from the point of impact of the two vehicles.

Wilcox said Gallagher was legally driving the lawn mower on the state and county routes. He said a "slow-moving vehicle" sign was displayed on the lawn mower. The trooper said he believes Gallagher had just finished mowing a lawn and was headed to his home. Aberegg was not injured in the crash, and he is facing no charges. The damage to Aberegg's vehicle was minimal, according to the trooper.

In addition to the patrol, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, a Monroe County coroner and a Somerton emergency medical squad responded to the scene. Gallagher's body was taken to Harper Funeral Home in Beallsville.