Train hits bus in Evans City; one dead, 10 injured.

Date: 04/26/2013
Time: Around 8:10 A.M.
Location: Evans City, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Ford E-450 bus, train

By Molly Born, Liz Navratil and Jonathan D. Silver / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A rural Butler County railroad crossing where a freight train carrying asphalt collided Friday with a paratransit bus in heavy fog -- killing one person and injuring 10 others -- lacked warning lights and swinging gate arms to halt traffic.

For unknown reasons the bus ended up with its passengers -- elderly and disabled adults -- atop the tracks at Maple Avenue in Evans City around 8:10 a.m., when the 31-car train slammed into its driver's side, knocking the vehicle askew and totaling it.

Two critically injured passengers were flown by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh-area hospitals. One of them, 91-year-old Claudette Miller of Callery, died at Allegheny General Hospital at 1:02 p.m., according to the Allegheny County medical examiner's office.

The other remained in critical condition, and Evans City police Chief Joseph McCombs said the passenger might not survive.

Everyone else on the bus, including the driver -- identified by Chief McCombs as Frank Schaffner, 59, of Butler -- was taken by ambulance to hospitals in Allegheny and Butler counties. Hospital officials said their injuries were not life-threatening.

Conflicting accounts emerged about whether the driver was stopped or in the process of crossing the tracks when the crash occurred. Also unclear was the role the fog played.

"For some unknown reason, it stopped directly in the crossing," Chief McCombs said of the bus. Police said the train's engineer told them he sounded the horn "numerous times."

Chief McCombs said the bus, which was going east toward South Washington Street, entered the crossing and did not move as the Allegheny Valley Railroad train -- composed of two locomotives and 29 cars -- was approaching.

The train was believed to be moving around 25 mph -- the speed limit -- according to information provided to federal inspectors by the engineer and conductor.

The engineer saw the bus, sounded the horn several times and applied the brakes before the crash, which Chief McCombs described as "pretty chaotic" with "pretty severe impact."

Michael Robb, executive director of the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources Inc., which oversees the program under whose auspices the passengers were being transported, relayed a different version of events.

"I don't believe the bus stopped on the train tracks at all. He stopped prior to the tracks as he's required and as he was crossing the tracks he was hit," Mr. Robb said.

"It really is at the driver's discernment whether a train was coming. I do not know if the train blew the whistle or not. All I know is that our driver was conscious enough to give his report to local authorities that he stopped. As he was crossing he was struck by the train."

Mr. Robb said he had not spoken to the driver. He expressed sympathy to the victims and said transportation services will continue.


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One person injured in Jackson Township crash.

Date: 11/25/2010
Time: Around 11:25 A.M.
Location: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Lumina

By NYC RP

"On 11/25/2010 at 1126 hours the Northern York County Regional Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Roth’s Church Road near Little Creek Road in Jackson Township.
Investigation found that a 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, operated by Anthony Sterner age 18 of Spring Grove, was travelling northbound on Roth’s Church Road.  The vehicle failed to negotiate a left hand curve, travelled off of the roadway into a ditch, struck an utility pole, and overturned.  Sterner was transported to Hanover Hospital by Thomasville EMS."

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Single vehicle crash closes route 116 for two hours in Jackson Township.

Date: 09/21/2011
Time: Around 7:35 A.M.
Location: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Nissan Sentra

By NYC RP

"On 09.21.2011 at 0737 hours the Northern York County Regional Police responded to a single vehicle crash on SR 116 near Little Creek Road in Jackson Township.
Investigation found that a 1997 Nissan operated by Roberto De Leon age 21 of York City was travelling eastbound on SR 116 when it crossed the roadway and struck a utility pole on the westbound side of the roadway.  The impact caused the pole to snap off near its base.
Roberto De Leon was uninjured.  Passenger Esmeralda Leal age 48 suffered minor injuries and was transported to York Hospital.
The crash caused several miles of SR 116 to be closed for approximately 2 hours until crews could remove the utility pole."

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Crash on Route 30 injuries one subject.

Date: 06/29/2011
Time: Around 3:30 P.M.
Location: Thomasville, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Nissan Maxima

By NYC RP


" The NYCRPD continues the investigation into a single vehicle crash that occurred on U.S. Route 30 near the intersection of Grant Road in Jackson Township.
The 06/29/2011 crash was reported at 15:30 hours with injury and an overturned vehicle. The driver was extricated by the Thomasville Fire Department and later transported toa n area hospital by the Thomasville Area Ambulance.
The driver of the vehicle is identified as James Nolder of the 400 block of West Market Street, York, PA, who was operating a Nissan Maxima."

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Driver escapes injury after colliding with tractor trailer in Jackson Township.

Date: 07/13/2011
Time: Around 8:45 A.M.
Location: Thomasville, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chrysler Sebring, trailer

By NYC RP

"On 07.13.2011 at 0849 hours the Northern York County Regional Police responded to a two vehicle accident on SR30 near Biesecker Road in Jackson Township.
Investigation found that a 2001 Chrysler sedan operated by Brittany Meade, age 21 of Perkiomenville, PA was eastbound on SR30 when it rear ended a tractor trailer unit that had been stopped for traffic.  The tractor trailer was owned by York PB Truss Company and operated by Keith Kaelin, age 56 of Thomasville.
Neither Meade or Kaelin were injured in the crash."

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One injured in Manchester Township crash.

Date: 01/12/2012
Time: Around 7:05 A.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Jeep Cherokee, Semi truck, Ford Windstar

By NYC RP

"On 01.12.2012 at 0718 hours the Northern York County Regional Police Department responded to a three vehicle crash on Board Road at May Drive in Manchester Township.
Investigation found that 1999 Jeep Cherokee was being operated eastbound on May Drive by Justin Conlen age 26 of Mount Wolf.  The Conlen vehicle attempted to make a left turn onto northbound Board Road and pulled into the path of a southbound 2000 Freightliner tractor trailer being operated by Christopher Clagget age 30 of York.  This impact forced the Conlen vehicle to strike a northbound Ford minivan being operated by Kevin Cartier age 35 of Edgewater Park, MD.
Conlen had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Manchester Township Department of Fire Services.  He was flown to York Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Claggett and Cartier were uninjured."

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Family sustains minor injuries after Manchester Township crash.

Date: 10/15/2012
Time: Around 4:05 P.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Subaru Outback

By NYC RP

"On 10.15.2012 at 1609 hours the Northern York County Regional Police Department responded to a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Starview Road and Liverpool Turnpike in Manchester Township.
Investigation found that a 1997 Subaru operated by Jenneifer Reed age 30 of Lewisberry failed to negotiate a left hand curve on Starview Road.  The Reed vehicle travelled off of the roadway, struck a stump, and overturned coming to rest on an embankment.  The vehicle was resting against a tree.
The Manchester Township Department of Fire Services had to extricate Reed and her two young sons from the vehicle.  All were transported to York Hospital for minor injuries."

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One injured in Manchester Township crash.

Date: 09/18/2012
Time: Around 9:50 A.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Cobalt, Hyundai Sonata, trailer

By NYC RP

"On 09.18.2012 at 0953 hours the Northern York County Regional Police Department responded to a three vehicle crash on Brandywine Lane near Leaf Street in Manchester Township.
Investigation found that a 2009 Chevrolet sedan operated by Rosemary Weaver age 65 of Manchester was travelling eastbound on Brandywine Lane when she failed to negotiate a right hand curve.  Weaver’s vehicle left her lane of travel and entered the eastbound lane where it first struck a trailer being pulled by Michael Dravk age 48 of Conewago Township.  The Weaver vehicle then struck an eastbound 2011 Hyundai operated by Paul Williams age 52 of York head on.
Weaver was transported to Memorial Hospital for moderate injuries.  Neither Dravk nor Williams were injured."

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Short cut leads to vehicle stuck in high water.

Date: 03/10/2011
Time: Around 5:15 P.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy S10

By NYC RP

"On 03.10.2011 at 2017 hours the Northern York County Regional Police responded to a report of a vehicle stuck in high water on the property of Stillmeadow Chuch of the Nazerene at 400 Stillmeadow Lane in Manchester Township.
18 year old John Myers of Manchester Township, reported that he was on his way for fast food take out when he decided to take a short cut through the church parking lot.  Myers then travelled through high water that camouflaged a large drainage ditch on the property.  Myers’ 1999 Chevrolet pickup became stuck in the high water.
Myers and a passenger were not hurt and were able to escape the vehicle and flood waters."

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Crash closes roadway, leave one man with moderate injury.

Date: 05/23/2011
Time: Around 2:40 P.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Ford Windstar, Ford F-450

By NYC RP

"A Monday afternoon crash resulted in moderate injury to a driver and road closures while the involved vehicles were cleared from the roadway. Information related to the injury and operator information is currently unavailable. The crash occurred at the intersection of Church Road and Lewisberry Road, the crash was reported at 14:44 hours. The NYCRPD continues the investigation into this crash.
Further information will be released as it becomes available. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have further information is requested to call 911 or contact the NYCRPD via nycrpd.org."


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One injured in Manchester Township crash.

Date: 05/16/2011
Time: Around 5:50 P.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Honda Odyssey, Ford Escort

By NYC RP

"On 05.16.2011 at 1754 hours the Northern York County Regional Police responded to a two vehicle crash on the Susquehanna Trail at Locust Lane in Manchester Township.
Investigation found that a 2004 Honda minivan was travelling westbound on Locust Lane.  The van stopped for the posted stop sign and then pulled into the path of a 2003 Ford coupe that was travelling northbound on the Susquehanna Trail.
The Honda was operated by Bradley Burdette age 45 of Manchester Township.  The Ford was operated by Jennifer Mullins age 19 of Manchester.
Burdette and his four passengers were not injured.  Mullins suffered minor injuries.
The investigation into this crash continues.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Northern York County Regional Police at 717.292.3647 or use the crime tip reporting portion of this website."

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Four vehicles involved in Manchester Township crash.

Date: 07/07/2011
Time: Around 5:15 P.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Dodge Durango, Saturn Vue, Jeep Cherokee, Volvo 850

By NYC RP

"On 07.07.2011 at 0716 hours the Northern York County Regional Police Department responded to a four vehicle crash on North George Street near Masonic Drive in Manchester Township.
Investigation found that Murphy Franklin Jr, age 40 of York City was travelling southbound on North George Street.  As Franklin Jr was approaching the intersection of Woodland View Drive, he passed a line of vehicles that were stopped for the traffic light.  Franklin Jr then struck a garbage can and recylcing bin as he lost control near Skyview Drive.  Franklin Jr then re-entered the southbound lanes and collided with three additional vehicles.  Franklin Jr’s vehicle then left the roadway and came rest on its roof in a drainage culvert near the intersection of Masonic Drive.
The other vehicles struck by Franklin Jr’s vehicle are;

1.  1998 Dodge Durango operated by Walkiria Perez, age 27 of York City
2. 2009 Saturn Vue operated by Lucille Brenneman,. age 57 of Manchester Township
3. 2000 Jeep Cherokee operated by Richard Everhart, age 76 of Manchester Township

All the operators were transported to York Hospital for moderate injuries.
The investigation into this crash continues.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Northern York County Regional Police at 717.292.3647 or use the crime tip reporting portion of this website."

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No Injuries in Manchester Township.

Date: 11/21/2011
Time: Around 3:10 P.M.
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Chevy Blazer, Volvo S40

By NYC RP

"On 11.21.2011 at 1512 hours the Northern York County Regional Police Department responded to Farmbrook Lane east of Farmtrail Road in Manchester Township for a two vehicle crash.
Investigation found that a 1995 Chevrolet Blazer operated by 25 year old Emalee Trago of York was travelling westbound on Farmbrook Lane when it crossed the centerline and struck an eastbound 2000 Volvo Sedan operated by a 17 year old Conewago Township woman.
Trago had three passengers at the time of the crash.   There were two people in the Volvo.  No one was injured."

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Police Release Details on Swamp Road Crash.

Date: 09/19/2011
Time: Around 11:30 A.M.
Location: Wrightstown Township, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Hyundai Elantra(x2)

By Tom Sofield

"Newtown Township police today provided additional details about a head-on collision that occurred Monday on Swamp Road in Wrightstown Township.
Police said a red Hyundai traveling westbound on Swamp Road crossed the double yellow lines and was to blame for the head-on crash, which occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. The driver is being cited for careless driving and driving without a license, police said.
The car collided head on with another Hyundai just east of Worthington Mill Road.
Both drivers were taken by ambulance to St. Mary's Medical Center in Middletown Township. They were treated for their injuries and were out of the hospital this morning, police said.
Both cars suffered front-end damage and were towed from the scene.
Newtown police, who patrol Wrightown Township, closed Swamp Road between Worthington Mill and Twinning Bridge roads following the accident. Swamp Road was reopened in the afternoon."

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Driver Critical After Bypass Wreck.

Date: 07/19/2012
Time: Around 2:00 P.M.
Location: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: School bus, delivery truck

By Tom Sofield - Newtown Patch

"The 75-year-old driver of the school bus that slammed into the back of a furniture delivery truck on the Newtown Bypass Thursday afternoon remains in critical condition at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, according to a release from Newtown authorities.
The driver, Janet Callan, of Doylestown, was flown by PennStar medical helicopter to Philadelphia after a nearly 20-minute extrication by more than a dozen firefighters following the crash.
The only passenger on the bus was Eleanor Weaver, 68, of Warminster. She suffered injuries and was transported to St. Mary Medical Center by ground ambulance and was released shortly after, police said.
No students were on the bus, which was operated by First Student.
Witnesses to the wreck told investigating officers that the yellow bus traveled onto the shoulder of roadway for a several yards before it struck the back of the truck. A detective at the scene Thursday told Patch the bus had scraped the guard rail along the eastbound shoulder in the moments before the crash.
The delivery truck, which was being leased by Mealey’s Furniture in Falls Township and was owned by Freedom International Trucks, was pulled over on the side of the Bypass after a check engine light came on, police said. The 29-year-old delivery truck passenger said at the scene that the crash, which happened approximately three minutes after the box truck pulled over, made a loud “boom.”
The two men who were working for Mealey’s were not injured.
Officers conducted an inspection of the truck and found no mechanical problems that played a role in the crash. The inspection of the bus is on-going, police said.
Firefighters and EMTs from Northampton and Wrightstown assisted Newtown authorities with the rescue operation.
Police did not comment on whether medical issues contributed to Callan losing control of the bus right before the crash."

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Three killed in crash on Route 61.

Date: 06/02/2012
Time: Around 1:25 AM
Location: Frackville, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Hyundai Tiburon

By Frank Andruscavage and Amy Marchiano

"SAINT CLAIR — Three people were killed early Saturday in a one-vehicle crash on Route 61 just north of Saint Clair. State police at Schuylkill Haven identified the driver, (Censored), 19, of Friedensburg, and passenger (Censored), 23, of Pottsville, as two of those who died. Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said (Censored), 16, of Pottsville, was the other person who died.
A 16-year-old girl from New Philadelphia suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said, but her name was not released Saturday.
None of the occupants of the car was wearing a seat belt, police said.
The accident occurred at 1:25 a.m. about 1 mile south of Mall Road in Blythe Township, as the 2006 Hyundai Tiburon driven by Centeleghe struck a guiderail after he lost control of the vehicle while rounding a left-hand curve, police said. The car became airborne and smashed through a billboard, then the roof of the vehicle hit a tree, police said. The car stopped facing east on its roof at the base of the tree about 18 feet off the road.
Police said the vehicle was going too fast for the wet road conditions.
At least one person was ejected from the car, police said. Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Scott P. Clews, Saint Clair, pronounced three people dead at the scene. One of the men was initially placed in an ambulance but died at the scene.
Route 61 northbound was closed for about 2 1/2 hours while authorities investigated the crash and cleaned up the scene.
Responding were troopers from the Schuylkill Haven station, Saint Clair police department, Saint Clair EMS, Pottsville/Schuylill Haven EMS, Saint Clair Hook and Ladder Fire Company, Columbia Hose Company, Saint Clair, and Goodwill Hose Company, Frackville."

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Child dies following two-car accident.

Date: 01/13/2012
Time: Around 1:40 P.M.
Location: Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: Dodge Spirit, GMC Sierra 1500

By Patty Yauger and J. Miles Layton 

"CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — Two girls were killed and another person injured on Friday following a two-vehicle accident on Breakneck Road.Fayette County Coroner Phillip Reilly said that (censored), 12, of Connellsville died in the accident that occurred at 1:40 p.m. on Friday. State police said the other girl, (censored), 14, of Connellsville, was taken to UMPC/Children’s Hospital. The Allegheny County Coroner’s office said Darrell was pronounced dead at 3:50 p.m. on Saturday at the hospital. Autopsy results were not available on Saturday.

Reilly said the driver, Victor’s mother, Erica, 41, of Connellsville was taken to tertiary trauma center at UPMC/Presbyterian Hospital. A hospital spokesman said she was discharged on Saturday.

Reilly said Dr. Larry Stept pronounced (censored) dead at 3:06 p.m. on Friday in Highland Hospital. Reilly said based on reports from the accident, she died as a result of blunt force trauma with lethal head injuries and pelvic fractures. He said Victor did not suffer because she was unconscious.

(censored) was not wearing a seat belt, Reilly said. State police reported that Erica Victor’s vehicle, a Dodge Spirit, lost control on the snow-covered Breakneck Road and crossed the center line into the northbound lane before it was struck in the passenger side by the second vehicle, a GMC Sierra.

The driver of the second vehicle was not injured, according to emergency personnel at the scene. State police have not identified the 66-year-old man from Connellsville. Reilly said (censored) was not ejected from the vehicle, but was trapped inside the car along with her mother and Darrell when emergency personnel arrived. Robbie Leiberger, assistant fire chief of the Connellsville Township Volunteer Fire Department, said it took nearly 20 minutes for the rescue crews to remove them from the car. The investigating officer, state police Trooper Michael Larkin, said the accident remains under investigation. Leiberger said that snow-covered roads likely contributed to the accident. “It was really nasty out there,” he said. Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette EMS, state police and the Connellsville Township road maintenance crew also responded to the accident."

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Head-on crash in Falls sends three to hospital.

Date: 09/21/2011
Time: Around 11:30 A.M.
Location: Falls, Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s) Involved: GMC Jimmy, Toyota Camry

By Ben Finley/phillyburbs

"FALLS — Three people, including an 18-month-old, were rushed to a hospital Wednesday morning after two cars collided on Oxford Valley Road near Andover Road, police said. The accident occurred about 11:30 a.m.

One vehicle was traveling northbound while the other vehicle was traveling southbound, police said. The road was shut down while police investigated.
Police said the southbound vehicle, a GMC Jimmy, driven by Wendy L. Barnes, 34, of Levittown, crossed the double yellow line for an unknown reason and collided head-on into a northbound Toyota.
The Toyota was driven by Tina Conturso, 38, of Middletown, who was with her daughter, Gianna Conturso, police said.
All three were taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown. Gianna, who was properly secured in a safety seat, was treated and released.
Conturso and Barnes were to remain at the hospital for observation, police said.

Ben Finley: 215-949-4203; email: bfinley@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: Ben_Finley"

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