 |
| Adam Swope dead in the crash |
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Malvern, PA man killed in fiery Route 202 collision
Monday, November 13, 2017 WEST GOSHEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities have identified the man killed in a fiery crash involving nine vehicles, including a tractor trailer, on Route 202 in West Goshen, Chester County.
Police said Adam Swope, 38, of Malvern, was killed when his vehicle was struck by a northbound tractor trailer that entered the southbound lanes after overturning.
The Chester County District Attorney's Office said there is still an ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Saturday near South Matlack Street.
There were at least nine vehicles involved in the crash. The truck, carrying frozen turkeys, burst into flames.
The stretch of Route 202 reopened Sunday morning after being shut down for nearly 14 hours.
Swope, who was on his way to his alma matter West Chester University to watch a championship game, was killed in the crash; he was riding with a friend who survived. Two people in other vehicles were taken to the hospital.
Friends said Swope was well regarded in political circles in Chester County, working as a campaign manager on several races.
"Adam has been around our family since 2005," said Victor Cozzone. "He had a large impact on everything my wife did politically."
Swope ran five campaigns for Cozzone's wife, Kathi, now a Chester County Commissioner who is running for Lt. Govenor. He also worked as her chief of staff.
"He was a solid person," said Cozzone. "To have run a campaign very even, very steady."
Multiple vehicle fatal crash closes part of Route 202 in West Goshen
Kathi Cozzone said Swope worked tirelessly to elect democrats in Chester County.
"He was beyond thrilled to be a part of the history we made in 2017," she said.
Among the numerous comments on social media Sunday, the Mayor of Downingtown Josh Maxwell tweeted that he would miss Swope because he was genuine and was "motivated most by improving his community."
Action News spoke with the McCall family who were in the traffic backup; they live a half mile away from the crash site.
"There were cars everywhere. It seemed like someone sprinkled cars. They were all over the road," Megan McCall of Westtown Township said.
"This is terrible. I've never seen one this bad," witness Mary Beth McCall said.
Multiple vehicle fatal crash closes part of Route 202 in West Goshen
Late Saturday evening, the coroner arrived on the scene.
West Goshen police confirmed several people suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Late into the night, crews remained at the scene, towing vehicles and cleaning up the haul of turkeys inside the tractor trailer before it could be moved.
Multiple vehicle fatal crash closes part of Route 202 in West Goshen
While authorities worked, both lanes north and southbound remained closed at the intersection of South Matlack and 202.
Mary Beth told Action News the scene of the crash was a dangerous intersection.
"I'm not surprised, people run this light constantly. I feel so bad for the people and the families, just horrible," she said.
The Chester County District Attorney's Office is handling the investigation along with the West Goshen Township Police.
The tractor trailer driver suffered head trauma and was taken to the hospital.
The District Attorney's Office said they are waiting to download the black box, check the driver's log, and for blood test results. There is no word if charges will be filed.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has video or photos is asked to contact the West Goshen Police Department Traffic Safety Division at 610-696-7400 or via email at trafficsafety@westgoshen.org.
=========================
WEST GOSHEN (WPVI) --
Crews spent hours cleaning up behind a fatal accident involving an overturned tractor trailer and multiple other vehicles that shut down Route 202 in West Goshen, Chester County.
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Saturday near South Matlack Street.
One person died in the fiery crash, and two people were taken to the hospital.
A tractor trailer carrying frozen turkeys collided with at least nine vehicles.
Multiple vehicle fatal crash closes part of Route 202 in West Goshen
Megan McCall of Westtown Township said, "There were cars everywhere. It seemed like someone sprinkled cars. They were all over the road."
"This is terrible I've never seen one this bad," added Mary Beth McCall.
Multiple vehicle fatal crash closes part of Route 202 in West Goshen
The McCalls live a half a mile away.
Bystanders stuck in traffic recorded the images of the tractor trailer on fire.
Late Saturday evening, the coroner arrived on the scene. Authorities confirmed one person was killed.
West Goshen police also confirmed several people suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Late into the night, crews remained at the scene, towing vehicles and cleaning up the haul of turkeys inside the tractor trailer before it could be moved.
While authorities worked, both lanes north and southbound remained closed at the intersection of South Matlack and 202.
Mary Beth says this is a dangerous intersection.
"I'm not surprised, people run this light constantly. I feel so bad for the people and the families, just horrible," she said.
Police say the cause of the crash remains under investigation. It appears that the tractor trailer flipped around the curve either because it was going too fast for the curve or it had to apply its brakes during a slowing down traffic. Drivers are speeding in that area of 202 and a number of accidents have happened over the years.
These trucks that carry heavy loads like the frozen turkeys are prone to overturning due to shifting load or unbalanced load. They can only withstand a 0.2-0.4 g at most. It does not take much speed for the trucks to roll-over or flip, even on a slight curve. The professional drivers should know that. This one failed to obey common sense safety rules and an innocent driver (Adam Swope) paid with his life.
====================
One person was killed and several others were hurt in a multi-vehicle crash Saturday that caused a fiery explosion on Route 202 in West Goshen Township, Chester County and shut down the highway in both directions for hours.
The accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. on Route 202 at South Matlack Street and involved nine vehicles, including a tractor trailer hauling frozen turkeys. The tractor trailer flipped onto its side and exploded into a ball of flames, with smoke that could be seen for miles.
"When the black smoke started coming up you started to see people run from all directions," said Amanda Quigley, who witnessed the crash while she was driving home with her two children from the Amish market. "People were getting out of their cars."
1 Dead, Several Hurt in Fiery 9-Vehicle Crash on Route 202
One person died while several people were hurt in a fiery nine-vehicle crash on Route 202 in West Goshen Township, Chester County Saturday afternoon. NBC10 obtained viewer video of the aftermath.(Published Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017)
Quigley called 911 and then tried to drive away as far as possible from the fiery wreckage. While she and her children made it home safely, she's still shaken by what she saw.
"It's upsetting," she said. "It's very upsetting. I feel very grateful that myself and my children are okay. But it's sad."
Police say one person was killed while several other people suffered minor to moderate injuries. They have not yet released the identity of the victim who died.
Neighbors say there have been several deadly accidents on the stretch of Route 202 where Saturday's crash occurred.
"This is the only stretch on 202 that has the traffic light for miles before you hit up toward Delaware," said George Dean. "But I think the speed limit needs to be lowered."Route 202 remains closed between Westtown Road and South High Street and drivers are advised to avoid the area.