Wheatfield Twp, PA – Child Killed, Two Hurt in Accident at WPS Ext & SR 22

Wheatfield Township, PA (March 12, 2024) – An 8-year-old girl died, and two drivers were seriously injured after a crash in Indiana County on Sunday.

Two cars crashed at the West Philadelphia Street Extension and State Route 22 intersection in East Wheatfield Township shortly before 5:00 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police said in a press release. Investigators said a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by a 62-year-old woman was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection.

The 8-year-old girl was in a booster seat in the backseat, police said. As the SUV turned left, crossing the eastbound lanes of Route 22, police said it was hit by a Kia Forte sedan driven by a 21-year-old woman from Homestead. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and came to a final rest on the roadway. The 8-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Both drivers were taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries. Troopers said they’re still investigating the crash. The Troop A Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist, or CARS, Unit reconstructs the crash.

We offer our deepest condolences to the deceased girl’s family. Our thoughts go out to the injured victims and their families. We hope for their full recovery at this time.

Fatal Vehicle Accidents in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to thousands of vehicle accidents annually, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities for many drivers. Like residents of many other states, Pennsylvanians may be particularly concerned about the dangers and risks of truck accidents occurring, especially when it comes to traversing the multi-lane roadways and heavily trafficked interstates that span our state. Of course, Pennsylvania sees a lot of truck traffic because of the state’s vast system of roads and interstates.

Moreover, accidents involving multiple drivers or large vehicles, such as trucks, are very likely to be catastrophic and even deadly. For example, in one recent year alone, 166,833 truck accidents took place throughout the United States. Around 4,678 of them resulted in deaths. Though Florida, Texas, and California were the top states for these accidents, Pennsylvania wasn’t far behind.

In fact, there were around 10,000 to 12,000 truck accidents in Pennsylvania in 2022, meaning that our state ranked fourth for the occurrence of these serious semi-truck collisions. Approximately 250 to 300 people lost their lives in these incidents, and more than 4,000 to 5,000 were injured. That said, those interested in filing claims against the insurance company of an at-fault truck driver in a Pennsylvania truck accident may face an uphill battle. In other words, victims do not deal with the average motorist in these claims. Unfortunately, all too many insurance firms are solely interested in limiting their financial exposure and maximizing their earnings. Additionally, the trucking corporations victims are typically up against are usually well-funded, with an army of lawyers fighting for their interests.

For these reasons and more, following a vehicle accident caused by another party’s negligence, victims can and should take legal action with the help of a skilled attorney. It is crucial for accident victims to reach out to a Warrington truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

At Edelstein Martin & Nelson, our attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and strive to provide our clients with the best possible legal representation. We have helped numerous individuals obtain justice and compensation for their injuries and damages caused by car accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, do not hesitate to contact our Pennsylvania personal injury law firm by calling (215) 731-9900 for a free case evaluation. Let us help you take back control of your life today.