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Wintry conditions caused a number of crashes |
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Monday, 11 February 2008 |
The wintry conditions caused a number of crashes over the weekend. Area police and emergency personnel responded to more than seven crashes throughout Elk County.
The Ridgway-based State Police investigated a two-vehicle crash which occurred on U.S. Route 219 in Ridgway Twp. at approximately 7:08 p.m. on Feb. 8.
According to police, a 1993 Mercury van, operated by Raymond A. Feldbauer, 72, of Ridgway and with passenger Ann Marie Feldbauer, 57, of Ridgway was traveling north on U.S. 219 when the vehicle drifted into the concrete traffic island at the intersection of state Route 948. That caused the van to cross into the southbound lane of U.S. 219. The vehicle then struck a GMC box truck on the front driver’s side of the GMC. The Mercury spun clockwise 190 degrees and came to a rest facing southeast in the southbound lane of U.S. 219. After impact, the GMC flipped onto its passenger side and slid approximately 134 feet on its side coming to a final rest facing northwest in the middle of the roadway.
No injuries were reported as a result of this crash.
Raymond Feldbauer will be charged with Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed in District Court 59-3-02.
The Ridgway-based State Police were assisted at the scene by Ridgway Fire Police, Ridgway Ambulance and Medics. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage.
On Friday at approximately 7:40 p.m., the Ridgway-based State Police investigated a one-vehicle crash which occurred on state Route 555 in Benezette Twp.
According to police, a 2003 Jeep Cherokee, operated by Cindy Dempsey, 50, of Driftwood, was traveling east on SR 555 and struck a patch of ice on the roadway. Dempsey lost control of the vehicle and it crossed the westbound lane and impacted a ditch on the north side of the roadway. After impact, the vehicle rolled over on its right side while traveling east along the ditch for approximately 45 feet, coming to rest on the left side, facing a northerly direction.
The determining cause of this crash is the icy road conditions. Dempsey, who was wearing a seatbelt and was uninjured, was not cited. The vehicle sustained moderate damage.
The Ridgway-based State police also responded to the scene of a one-vehicle crash which occurred Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8:35 a.m.. on U.S. 219 in Horton Twp.
According to police, this crash occurred as a 2005 Cadillac, operated by Farah Suddle, 47, of Kane, was traveling south on U.S. 219. Suddle applied the brakes and began to slide on the snow covered roadway. The Cadillac traveled on to the west berm and into a ditch. The vehicle, which still continued south, rolled over onto the driver’s side and struck a sewage vent cover. The vehicle then rolled onto its roof and came to rest on the west side of U.S. 219 facing south.
Suddle sustained injuries and was transported to DuBois Regional Medical Center. A passenger in the vehicle, a 16-year-old female, sustained minor injuries.
The vehicle sustained major damage.
State Police were assisted at the scene by the Horton Twp. Fire Department, Brockway Ambulance and Ridgway Ambulance.
Not long after, at 8:45 a.m., the Ridgway-based State Police responded to the scene of a one-vehicle crash which also occurred on U.S. 219.
Police report that a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado Z71, operated by Paul Olmstead, 36, of Johnsonburg, was traveling south on U.S. 219 and was attempting to pass a tractor trailer. The rear end of the vehicle began to slide on the snow covered roadway and the operator lost control of the vehicle. The Chevy traveled off the east side of the roadway and struck and embankment and a tree. After impact, the vehicle rotated in a counterclockwise direction, coming to rest facing north, approximately 10 feet from the initial impact with the embankment.
The casusatory factor in this crash was failing to drive a vehicle at a safe speed due to the existing road conditions.
Olmstead, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured in the crash.
The vehicle sustained moderate damage.
The Ridgway-based State Police responded to the scene of a one-vehicle crash which occurred at approximately 7:10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 on state Route 949, Spring Creek Twp.
According to police, this crash occurred as a 2003 Ford Ranger, operated by Dale John Farley, 56, of Ridgway, was traveling north on SR 949 when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a tree and a road sign.
Farley, who was wearing a seatbelt, received moderate injuries in the crash.
The vehicle sustained major damage.
The St. Marys City Police investigated a three-vehicle collision which occurred Sunday morning at approximately 11:22 a.m. on South St. Marys Road at the Ford Road intersection.
According to police, a 1993 Geo sedan, operated by Brent Rearick of Byrnedale, was traveling south on South St. Marys Road approaching the Ford Road intersection. Due to extreme wind-driven snow, his vision of the intersection was obscured and he failed to see two vehicles stopped ahead of him at the intersection.
Rearick
applied the brakes and slid on the icy/snow covered roadway and collided with the rear of a 2001 Mercury sedan operated by Vicki Miller of St. Marys. The Rearick vehicle continued to slide and collided with the rear of a 1995 Toyota truck operated by Stacy Brechtel of St. Marys.
No injuries were reported in the crash.
The Miller and Brechtel vehicles sustained minor damage, while the Rearick vehicle sustained major damage and had to be towed from the scene.
On Sunday, at approximately 14:30 hours, the Ridgway-based State Police responded to the scene of a one-vehicle crash which occurred on state Route 555, in Benezette Twp.
According to police, this crash occurred as a 1994 Jeep Cherokee, operated by john Molinari, 54, of McKeesport, was traveling east on SR 555 when the vehicle began to slide on the icy roadway. The vehicle spun counterclockwise and traveled off the north berm, striking an embankment with the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled over onto its roof, coming to rest facing southwest off the north side of the roadway.
The causatory factor in this crash was determined to be the icy road conditions.
Molinari, and a 14-year-old male passenger, were wearing seatbelts and were uninjured.
State Police were assisted at the scene by the Jay Twp. Fire Department, Fire Police and Ambulance Service.
The wintry weather is expected to continue today with areas of blowing snow. The high will be 13 degrees with wind chill values as low as -19 degrees. According to the National Weather service, the snow and cold temperatures will continue until Wednesday. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution and practice safe driving measures.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 12 February 2008 )
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