SLIPPERY ROCK TWP., Pa. (EYT) — Two Rimersburg residents were listed among those involved in a nine-vehicle chain reaction crash in Slippery Rock Township on Wednesday evening.
According to police, around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 63-year-old James V. McKinley, of Dilltown, Pa., was operating a 2016 International Harvester semi-truck, west on State Route 422 in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County. His vehicle was approaching the intersection of State Routes 422 and 338.
Police say McKinley failed to stop his truck as he approached traffic which was stopped at the red light at the intersection. The semi-truck drove into the rear of a 2009 Ford F150, driven by 26-year-old Brandon R. Vanscoy, of New Castle.
According to police, initial impact started a chain reaction with five other vehicles including a 2012 Toyota Highlander driven by 67-year-old Deborah J. Martell, of New Castle; a 2018 Dodge RAM driven by 44-year-old Michael Sleigher, of Rimersburg; a 2010 New Castle Transit Authority Bus operated by 27-year-old Adam D. Woolensack, of Lowellville, Ohio; and a 2017 Acura MDX driven by 76-year-old Gary L. McKindree, of Butler.
McKinley’s semi-truck then exited the south side of the roadway, crossed a driveway, impacted a parked tractor-trailer and came to rest against a tree.
A 2013 Subaru Legacy driven by 21-year-old Joshua M. Reese of New Castle, which was traveling east, was also struck during the crash.
Police say one vehicle, believed to be a white or silver Ford F150 truck, was also struck by the bus in the crash but fled the scene.
McKinley (the driver of the semi-truck) suffered suspected minor injuries and was transported to UPMC Jameson Hospital.
Vanscoy (the first vehicle struck) and two passengers in his vehicle, whose names have not been released, suffered major life-threatening injuries and were flown by STAT MedEvac to St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Police say the New Castle Transit Authority Bus was occupied by 15 passengers. Two of the passengers, whose names have not been released, were transported and treated for minor injuries at UPMC Jameson Hospital. All other passengers were uninjured.
Sleigher (of Rimersburg) suffered suspected minor injuries and was treated by Noga Ambulance Service EMS at the scene. His passenger, 46-year-old Nicholas L. Sleigher, of Rimersburg, was not injured.
No other injuries were reported.
Slippery Rock Township Volunteer Fire Department; New Castle Fire Department; Shenango Township Volunteer Fire Department; New Castle City Police Department; Shenango Township Police Department; PennDOT; Noga Ambulance Service; and Lawrence County Emergency Management assisted at the scene.
Anyone with identifying information on the vehicle that fled the scene is asked to contact New Castle State Police at 724-598-2211.
This investigation is ongoing.
