A devastating three-vehicle collision occurred on the afternoon of March 26, near Wharton Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of five people, one of whom was an infant. The fatal accident involved a black Honda Accord, a red minivan, and a tractor-trailer on Route 40.
The Pennsylvania State Police were alerted about the multi-vehicle incident and arrived at the scene approximately at 1:45 pm. They discovered a heavily damaged black Honda Accord pinned against a barrier, a stationary red minivan, and a tractor-trailer.
Trooper Kalee Barnhart of the Pennsylvania State Police stated that the investigation is still underway. Collision analysis reconstruction specialists are currently working to determine the cause of the crash. Fayette County Coroner, Dr. Bob Baker, announced that the black Honda Accord, driven by 55-year-old Harold Nibert of Delaware, Ohio, crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with the tractor-trailer.
The deadly collision resulted in the death of all passengers in the Honda. The victims have been identified as Harold Nibert, Bradley Thivener, 47, Krystal May, 36, Amanda Dawson, 33, and her seven-month-old son, Kullen Dawson. All deceased were confirmed to be residents of Delaware, Ohio.
The passengers in the red minivan sustained minor injuries while the driver of the tractor-trailer was unharmed. However, he was evaluated by emergency medical services at the scene.
Witnesses at the crash site reported that the Honda attempted an illegal pass before the collision, which could suggest that speed was a contributing factor in the accident. The incident led to the closure of Route 40 in both directions for several hours, causing significant disruption. The road was reopened around 7 p.m. Local resident, Stacy Kenes, expressed her concerns about the road’s safety, stating, “This is a very dangerous road.”
As the investigation continues, the Pennsylvania State Police and other involved agencies are committed to determining the exact cause of the tragic crash.
