Five individuals, including a seven-month-old child, perished in a tragic three-vehicle accident on Route 40, near Wharton Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on the afternoon of March 26. The collision involved a black Honda Accord, a red minivan, and a tractor-trailer.
Shortly after the accident was reported, Pennsylvania State Police arrived at approximately 1:45 pm. The scene of the accident was strewn with the wreckage of the three involved vehicles, including a commercial truck. The black Honda Accord sustained significant damage and was seen against a barrier, while the red minivan and tractor-trailer were not moving.
State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart reported that the investigation is underway, with specialists in collision analysis reconstruction striving to piece together the events leading up to the crash. Fayette County Coroner, Dr. Bob Baker, shared that the Honda Accord, driven by Harold Nibert, 55, from Delaware, Ohio, crossed over the double yellow line and collided head-on with the tractor-trailer.
The violent impact resulted in the death of all in the Honda Accord: the driver, Harold Nibert, Bradley Thivener, 47, Krystal May, 36, Amanda Dawson, 33, and her seven-month-old son, Kullen Dawson. All victims were identified as residents of Delaware, Ohio.
The passengers of one of the involved vehicles suffered minor injuries, while the driver of the commercial vehicle was unharmed, although he was assessed by medical personnel at the scene.
Witness testimony and further investigation suggested that the Honda Accord attempted an illegal overtake before the crash, indicating that high speed could have been a contributing factor in the accident.
The accident caused significant disruption, necessitating the closure of Route 40 in both directions for several hours. It wasn’t until around 7 p.m. that the road was reopened. Local resident, Stacy Kenes, expressed her concerns about the road’s safety, stating, “This is a very dangerous road.” Her comments serve as a reminder to all road users to exercise caution while driving.
The Pennsylvania State Police, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, are dedicated to determining the exact cause of the crash as their investigation continues.