A volunteer firefighter is among two people killed in two separate crashes on Route 15 in Lycoming County.
State police said the crashes happened within a half mile of each other in the area of Powys Curve, about two miles south of Trout Run.
Troopers said the first crash happened shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday. They said a car headed north on Route 15 crossed the center line and hit a van coming south. The driver of the car, Shannon McKenzie, 25, of Williamsport, died. The driver of the van, John Beaver, 52, of Milton, was taken to the hospital with what police describe as minor injuries.
"We believe that vehicle may have been traveling at a high rate of speed. When it crossed over it hit a southbound van. The driver of the vehicle that crossed over is deceased. The driver of the southbound vehicle was injured but he appears to be okay," said Captain Don Peters with the Pennsylvania State Police.
The second wreck involved a volunteer firefighter from the Trout Run Fire Company headed to the scene of that crash. State police said Richard Springman, 20, of Cogan Station had been rushing to respond to the scene of the first deadly crash in his pick-up truck.
"He was traveling as a first responder to the scene," said Capt. Peters. "We're not sure what all the dynamics were but he lost control of his vehicle, struck a guardrail and was thrown from the vehicle."
One driver stuck in the back up caused by the wrecks said he could tell just by looking the crashes were serious.
"I was talking to the trooper he said it's the first time in 20-some years he has two of them right that close," said Dennis Shaver of New York. "I'm on the road, I drive a tractor-trailer so I see quite a bit of this stuff."
Members of the Trout Run Fire Company said their chief was meeting with the firefighter's family late Wednesday evening.
State police continue to investigate both crashes but believe speed was a factor in both.
State police said the crashes happened within a half mile of each other in the area of Powys Curve, about two miles south of Trout Run.
Troopers said the first crash happened shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday. They said a car headed north on Route 15 crossed the center line and hit a van coming south. The driver of the car, Shannon McKenzie, 25, of Williamsport, died. The driver of the van, John Beaver, 52, of Milton, was taken to the hospital with what police describe as minor injuries.
"We believe that vehicle may have been traveling at a high rate of speed. When it crossed over it hit a southbound van. The driver of the vehicle that crossed over is deceased. The driver of the southbound vehicle was injured but he appears to be okay," said Captain Don Peters with the Pennsylvania State Police.
The second wreck involved a volunteer firefighter from the Trout Run Fire Company headed to the scene of that crash. State police said Richard Springman, 20, of Cogan Station had been rushing to respond to the scene of the first deadly crash in his pick-up truck.
"He was traveling as a first responder to the scene," said Capt. Peters. "We're not sure what all the dynamics were but he lost control of his vehicle, struck a guardrail and was thrown from the vehicle."
One driver stuck in the back up caused by the wrecks said he could tell just by looking the crashes were serious.
"I was talking to the trooper he said it's the first time in 20-some years he has two of them right that close," said Dennis Shaver of New York. "I'm on the road, I drive a tractor-trailer so I see quite a bit of this stuff."
Members of the Trout Run Fire Company said their chief was meeting with the firefighter's family late Wednesday evening.
State police continue to investigate both crashes but believe speed was a factor in both.
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