MAY 29, 2015
Authorities say a school van driver was killed and several students were injured when the vehicle collided with a sport utility vehicle in western Pennsylvania.
State police in Indiana County said the northbound van was turning left on Route 403 when the southbound SUV swerved into the northbound lane and the two vehicles collided head-on in Cherryhill Township shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Thirty-two-year-old Lisa Ann Stapleton of Cherryhill was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three Penns Manor Area School District students - aged 6, 9 and 10 - were reported with moderate injuries, and two were flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The SUV driver and another school van passenger were also taken to hospitals.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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Police said the van was traveling around a curve when the SUV, which was driving in the opposing direction, swerved into the van’s path.
“There was a van on its side, a school van. I saw partial of the other vehicle, didn’t know what it was,” said Brian Jodon, who witnessed the crash.
The driver of the van, a 37-year-old Clymer woman, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Three students, ages 6, 9 and 10, suffered moderate injuries. Two of them were flown to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
A 68-year-old front seat passenger of the van suffered major injuries, police said. He was flown to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.
The 25-year-old driver of the SUV also suffered major injuries and was flown to Altoona Hospital, according to police.
Officials said it is believed that the driver of the SUV was distracted, possibly eating.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.