SEWARD — Both drivers were killed in a two-car accident at 4:40 p.m. Saturday on Route 56 just east of St. Clair Township Route 901 near Seward.
State police identified them as Mary F. Rager, 71, and John A. Matarazzo, 67, both of Johnstown. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the accident scene by Westmoreland County Coroner Timothy O’Donnell.
He said both died of blunt force trauma.
Bonnie M. Beucler, 61, of Johnstown, a passenger in Matarazzo’s car, was listed in serious condition Sunday night at Memorial Medical Center.
Route 56 was closed for several hours in both directions after the accident.
The Rager car was traveling west and the Matarazzo vehicle east.
Police said the Rager car crossed the center line into the path of the Matarazzo vehicle.
Members of the Seward Volunteer Fire Company assisted police at the scene.
City crash sends man to hospital
City police said the driver was taken to Memorial Medical Center after a one-vehicle accident at 11:11 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Maple Avenue in the city.
Police identified him as Herman Edwards, 28, of East Conemaugh. A hospital supervisor said Sunday night that he had not been admitted. Additional information was not available.
Police said the sport utility vehicle went off the road, struck a parked vehicle and then a building.
Traffic stop ends in DUI charge
CRESSON – A Christmas Eve traffic stop for a minor traffic violation resulted in a drunken driving charge against a Cresson woman, state police at the Ebensburg barracks said.
State police said they stopped Beth Miller, 43, of Cresson on state Route 53 in Cresson Township and found her to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
Charges were filed with District Judge Charity Nileski in Cresson, police said.
Police investigating Indiana Co. shooting
BLACK LICK – State police are investigating an incident early Sunday in which at least three shots were fired from a vehicle traveling on Blaire Road.
At least one of the rounds struck a residence along the road in this Indiana County community, police said.
The bullet was fired into an upstairs window and lodged in an interior wall, police said.
The incident happened at about 3 a.m.
The suspect vehicle is a newer model red full-size pickup, police said, adding it likely was occupied by at least two people.
Domestic relations hearing officer resigns
EBENSBURG – The Cambria County commissioners have accepted the resignation of lawyer Theresa Homady from her part-time position as a hearing officer in the domestic relations office.
A replacement was not named.
Local News
In brief: Both drivers killed in Route 56 crash
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Blogging with heart
I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.
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Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
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