As a trainee at Import Export Tire Co. near Latrobe, John R. Hall had nearly completed the 90-day probationary period necessary for him to begin attending technical classes so he eventually could conduct vehicle inspections.
That made his mother, Debra A. Hixon Hall, very happy.
"He found something that interested him, and it seemed like some direction was developing for him in his life," Hixon Hall said.
John Ryan Hall, 20, of Chestnut Ridge Road in Derry Township, was identified late Monday by the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office as the man who was burned beyond recognition in a fiery, one-vehicle accident early Sunday in the township.
Hall was identified through dental records by forensic odontologist Scott Learn, according to the county coroner's office.
Hall was driving a 1985 Chevrolet S-10 pickup south on Route 982 about 3 1/2 miles north of New Derry at 3:25 a.m. when the truck crossed the double-yellow line, traveled off the east berm, struck two trees and burst into flames, state police said.
A passing motorist noticed the fire and called Westmoreland County 911. Deputy Coroner Gerald Fritz pronounced Hall dead at the scene at 5:10 a.m.
The cause of death was multiple blunt-force trauma to the head, chest and abdomen as a result of the accident. The manner of death was ruled accidental.
Hall's friends and family left his blue work shirt and a makeshift memorial at the accident scene.
Hixon Hall reflected fondly on Hall's love of cars and trucks, his many friends and his job.
"He was constantly working on his truck, doing body work, putting new parts on it," Hixon Hall said. "He was just a really happy, pleasant guy."
Lifelong friend Casey Miller, 16, was helping Hall prepare his truck for eventual trade-in for a street bike.
"He was just an amazing kid," Casey said. "He cared about everyone so much, and you could always talk to him and he would make you feel better."
Born in Hampton, Va., Hall lived in the Newport News area with his mother and father, John P. Hall, until the age of 4 when his family moved to Derry Township.
Hixon Hall said he played T-ball and Little League baseball up to the age of 13. At age 16, Hall's parents helped him purchase a used dark green Honda Civic that triggered his love affair with cars.
"He was really into decking them out. I always told him if he's that interested, maybe he should own his own shop someday," Hixon Hall said.
In early May, Hall followed his interest in cars to Import Export Tire, where he was hired as a tire changer.
T.O. Gillespie, manager of the shop in Unity, said Hall was an enthusiastic employee who would have had a bright future with the business.
"We would have worked with him up through the ranks and eventually trained him as a mechanic," said Gillespie, who added that Hall already knew how to do oil changes. "When he worked, if he was done changing tires, he would clean up or perform other duties here to help us. I do feel very bad about what happened."
Jason Cushion, 21, a co-worker and friend of Hall's, said the young man was characterized by his "mellow" personality.
"He was a very nice person. He'd do anything for anyone," Cushion said.
That became evident as several of Hall's friends arrived at his home with a special request for his mother.
"They asked me if they could be his pallbearers," Hixon Hall said. "They also all have a piece of his uniform from work."
The accident remains under investigation by state police in Greensburg.
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