×

Two killed in Route 30 crash

Cincinnati trucker, Bedford man die in 3-vehicle accident

Two people were killed in a three-vehicle crash Thursday morning on Route 30 in Juniata Township, Bedford County.

The crash happened at 8:07 a.m. west of Schellsburg and Fyan Mill Road on Lincoln Highway.

State police in Bedford reported that the driver of a Freightliner tractor-trailer was killed. The 50-year-old man was from Cincinnati, Ohio.

A 67-year-old man from Bedford, the driver of a Jeep Cherokee, also was killed.

Police have not released the identities of those in­jured or of the deceased, pending notification of family members.

The third driver, a 52-year-old man from Six Mile Run, and his passenger, a 28-year-old man from Hope­well, were transported to Somerset Hospital by Berlin Area Ambulance Associa­tion. Police said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. They were riding in a Chevrolet Silverado, police said.

The state police said the Freightliner was traveling east on Lincoln Highway, also known as state Route 30, in an area where the roadway is downhill in two lanes. The truck speed limit in this area is 20 mph. Police said that witnesses reported the tractor-trailer was traveling at a speed greater than considered reasonable for that section of road.

While attempting to negotiate a right curve, the trucker lost control of his rig, which traveled across the double yellow line into the westbound lane. Police said the rig struck the pickup truck, causing disabling damage to the vehicle, which also ended up in the westbound lane.

The tractor-trailer continued heading east through the curve and struck a guardrail off of the westbound shoulder. The trailing unit also struck the guardrail. The trailer, filled with bottled vegetable oil, then traveled over the guardrail and struck a CenturyLink utility pole. The cab of the tractor-trailer continued to travel sideways on the road as the trailer went over the embankment, lifting the front of the cab in the air.

The Jeep, which had been traveling west on Route 30, was struck by the cab. The cab of the tractor-trailer traveled over the top of the Jeep. The Jeep then spun around, coming to rest along the eastbound shoulder, where it caught fire. Police said that the driver of the Jeep was ejected during the impact.

Police said that both parts of the tractor-trailer continued over the embankment, where it broke into pieces and were scattered in the woods.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was found deceased in the cab, which had landed against a large tree.

The driver of the Jeep was found deceased on the road.

State police also said that crews will be working along Lincoln Highway during the next few days to remove all debris and cargo. Portions of Route 30 remained closed Thursday night due to the accident.

Assisting state police at the scene were fire departments from Shawnee Valley and Central City; EMS units from Shawnee Valley, Bedford and Berlin; PennDOT; the Bedford County Coroner; and several towing companies.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today