PA Fatal Accident

AAA Reports on PA Highway Deaths

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Last week AAA released information about 2010 Pennsylvania highway fatalities.  According to the information released by the organization, there were 1,324 fatalities during 2010 – an increase of 64 deaths over 2009.  Some of the worst news was for young drivers aged 16 and 17 years old.  Highway fatalities for that age group rose 40% in 2010.

AAA is using this information to try to convince Pennsylvania to adopt tougher safety laws.  For example, the organization would like Pennsylvania to join the majority of states that make mandatory seat belt use a primary offense and the majority of states that make texting while driving illegal.

Will Pennsylvania take the actions necessary to help prevent future tragedies?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.

Posted in Car Safety, PA Fatal Accident, Safe Driving Laws | No Comments »

Two Hit and Run Accidents Strike Philly Over the Weekend

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Philadelphia was the scene of two serious hit and run accidents this past weekend.  The first accident occurred around 8:20 Saturday night at the intersection of Sixth Street and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia.  Dianica Leone and her two year old son Derek Martinez were crossing the street when they were hit by a silver Mercedes.  Derek was killed in the accident.  Dianica is at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with traumatic injuries.

The second accident occurred around 7:30 Sunday night.  Two boys, ages 11 and 13, were riding their bikes at the intersection of Herbert and Large Streets in the Northwood Section of Northeast Philadelphia.  Both boys were taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital. One boy suffered a serious head injury and both are reported in stable condition.

The police are asking anyone with information about these Philadelphia hit and run accidents to contact the Philadelphia Police Investigations Unit or to call 911.

Posted in Accident Headlines, Bike Accident, PA Fatal Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Philadelphia Accident | No Comments »

What Happened on Veterans Bridge Saturday Night?

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

One person was killed and another was critically injured in a late night accident in Washington County on Saturday. The accident occurred on a southbound ramp of Veterans Bridge around 11:40 Saturday night. 

Police report that 21 year old Matthew John Risha was driving the wrong way on the bridge and collided with another vehicle.  Mr. Risha was killed in the accident.  The other driver, who has not yet been identified to the media, was critically injured and taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital.

The investigation into this Pittsburgh car accident is ongoing.

Posted in Accident Headlines, PA Fatal Accident, Pittsburgh Accident | No Comments »

Serious Crash Kills 1, Injures 2 in Perry County

Friday, August 13th, 2010

A week ago today, tragedy struck Perry County, Pennsylvania.  A serious Perry County car crash killed one woman and seriously injured two other people.  The crash happened shortly after 10:45 p.m. on Friday August 6 on State Route 850 in Spring Township.

Police report that 30 year old Todd Barnes was driving westbound on State Route 850 when he crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a car driven by 38 year old Christine Geesaman.  Ms. Geesaman was killed in the crash.  Her passenger, Jody Everson was flown to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center as was the other driver, Todd Barnes.  In the days following the accident, Ms. Everson was reported in critical condition and Mr. Barnes in fair condition.

Pennsylvania State Police from the Newport Barracks are investigating this accident.

Posted in Accident Headlines, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

Thursday Morning Route 209 Crash Kills One and Injures Two

Friday, July 30th, 2010

At about 1 a.m. yesterday morning, a drunk driver injured two people and killed one person and then fled the scene of the accident.  This Pennsylvania drunk driving hit and run accident happened on Route 209 in Middle Smithfield Township.

Police say that a car driven by Benjamin Warner collided with a motorcycle.  After Mr. Warner hit the motorcycle, he ran over the motorcycle driver.  The motorcycle driver was killed in the accident.  The female motorcycle passenger and a person who pulled over to help the cyclists were hurt.

Mr. Warner was found by the police after the hit and run based on a description of the car that he was driving.  His blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.  The list of charges facing Mr. Warner include: aggravated assault by vehicle, DUI, criminal conspiracy, and drug charges.

The motorcycle driver and his female passenger have not yet been identified.  There is no word on the female passenger’s condition.   The individual who pulled over to help the motorcyclists has been identified as Robert Scotko.  He was airlifted the hospital with what police call serious injuries.

Posted in Drunk & Distracted Drivers, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

One Car Accident Kills One and Injures Two in Bradford County

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

A Bradford County crash killed one person and seriously injured two others on Sunday.  The accident occurred on State Route 6 in North Towanda Township.

20 year old Curt Heitmeyer was driving his car on State Route 6 when he lost control and slid off the road.  The car rolled over a few times before stopping.

One of the passengers in the car, 20 year old Jonathan Sperlazzo, died from injuries sustained in the accident.  Mr. Heitmeyer and another passenger were both injured.

Pennsylvania state police are investigating this fatal Pennsylvania car accident.

Posted in Accident Headlines, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

Unlicensed Driver Charged with Homicide After Lehigh County Crash

Monday, July 19th, 2010

An unlicensed driver put his van into reverse on Interstate 78 in Lehigh County over the weekend, killing one person and sending 7 others to the hospital.

The driver, James Augustus York, of Brooklyn New York was driving his van in reverse along the berm at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday morning when he hit an oncoming tractor trailer. 

The van had seven passengers in it, three of whom were ejected during the accident.  One of the passengers in the van was killed, and seven people were taken to the hospitals.  Two juveniles are believed to have life threatening injuries.

I 78 remained shut down for 8 hours following this fatal Lehigh County crash.

Mr. York has been charged with homicide for his part in the accident.

Posted in Accident Headlines, Lehigh County Accident, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

Milford Crash Kills 1 and Injures 1

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

On Monday afternoon, a Milford car crash killed one woman and injured another.  The accident occurred on Route 663 shortly after 4 p.m.  25 year old Tara L. Golden of Pennsburg was driving southbound when she crossed the center line and crashed into a vehicle driven by 32 year old Chandra L. Bibighaus of Quakertown.

Firefighters had to extricate Ms. Golden from her vehicle.  She was then taken to St. Luke’s Hospital Quakertown where she was declared dead. Ms. Bibighaus is listed in fair condition at St. Luke’s Hospital Bethlehem after this serious accident.

Posted in Accident Headlines, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

How Dangerous Were Pennsylvania Roads Last Weekend?

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Long weekends, especially summer holiday weekends, are particularly dangerous times on Pennsylvania roads and this past July 4th weekend was no exception.

The Pennsylvania state police report that 712 accidents were investigated over the four day travel period.  361 people were injured and 10 people were killed in those accidents. 

There was a significant increase in accidents and injuries over the July 4, 2009 holiday weekend when only 447 accidents were investigated, 206 people were injured and 9 people were killed.

State police also report 72 of the crashes, including 3 of the fatal crashes, were alcohol related in 2010.  Additionally, police cited more than 7,800 people for speeding, arrested 339 people for DUIs, and cited many others for failure to wear seatbelts and failure to secure children in proper car seats.

If you were injured, or if you lost a loved one, in a Pennsylvania crash then please call Pennsylvania car accident lawyer Jon Ostroff for more information about your rights and potential legal recoveries.

Posted in Accident Headlines, Drunk & Distracted Drivers, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

Recent High School Graduate Dies in Accident that Injures 3 Others

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

On Monday, a Westmoreland County car accident killed one person and injured three others.  The crash occurred on Route 819 in East Huntingdon Township at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday June 21, 2010.

According to police, the driver of the car lost control and the car flipped over.   18 year old Amanda Mitchell of Scottdale was killed in the accident.  Ms. Mitchell had recently graduated from Southmoreland High School.

The three people injured in the accident included 19 year old Frank Kuhns of Donegal, 19 year old Gregory Reshenberg of Uniontown, and 20 year old Derek Miller of Grindstone.  Mr. Reshenberg was the driver of the vehicle and was released from UPMC Presbyterian Hospital yesterday.  Mr. Miller suffered moderate injuries, and Mr. Kuhns suffered head injuries and is on a ventilator.

Police are still investigating what caused Mr. Reshenberg to lose control of his vehicle.

Posted in Accident Headlines, PA Fatal Accident | No Comments »

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