FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — Two horrific accidents on Route 51 in Fayette County — just within a couple of miles of each other. Three people were killed in these two fiery crashes within 12 hours of each other.
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We spoke to the neighbor who witnessed the aftermath of this fiery accident on Route 51 near Smock late Saturday night.
“I witnessed a small explosion, it shook the house and the windows,” he said. “We tried everything we could, there was nothing more we could’ve done.”
He didn’t want to be identified, but said he and his dad rushed in to try to help to rescue the people from the violent crash.
A car had collided head on with a water tanker truck right outside their house.
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State police released more details saying the SUV driven by James Vollmer was going the wrong way — heading north in the southbound lanes.
Investigators haven’t released the identity of the woman who was killed in the SUV — but the coroner said they died instantly and did not suffer.
Troopers say the tanker tried to swerve out of the way but the two collided and caught fire.
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“I just wish I could’ve done more. And be able to help out more and... They were unconscious and there was nothing more I think we could’ve done,” the neighbor said.
PennDOT crews were replacing the mast and traffic signal pole from an accident earlier Saturday. Just a few miles away, Britley Brashear of Connellsville was killed near Oliver Road.
Police say she was speeding and swerving in and out of traffic when she struck a pole and died almost instantly, before the car caught fire.
The truck driver from the accident near Smock is said to be fine, he was taken to the hospital to be checked out.
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