1 killed, 2 flown to hospital after crash involving school van in Fayette County
DUNBAR, Pa. (KDKA) — A driver is dead and a school van driver and student were flown to the hospital after a crash in Fayette County.
State police confirmed one fatality after two vehicles crashed on Furnace Hill Road in Dunbar Township on Monday.
First responders said three elementary students from the Connellsville Area School District were in the school van. The driver, Ricard Watson, and one student were flown to hospitals. Watson is the safety officer with the Dunbar Volunteer Fire Department. The two other students had minor injuries.
The driver of the Jeep involved died, first responders said. Alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors in this crash, state police say. The driver of the Jeep was 56-year-old Brenda DeWitt.
State police say she was on Furnace Hill Road when she tried to pass a vehicle in front of her, went into the other lane and hit the school van head-on.
The three boys on the bus are second, third and fifth graders who attend Dunbar Township Elementary. Police said Watson has "serious injuries" but the condition of the third student is not known at this time.
DunbarTwp firefighter & Connellsville School bus driver Richard Watson & 3 students hit headon police say.His daughtersays “He was the one who called the accident in, and even with a shattered leg and being trapped in the van he got "his boys" as he calls them to safety. “ @KDKA pic.twitter.com/SLEXYIqH91
— Jennifer Borrasso (@JenBorrasso) March 21, 2023
"This road is so dangerous," resident Laura Cravener said. "And then the speed limit, nobody adheres to it. Nobody wants to slow down."
The Connellsville Area School District released a statement Monday, saying:
"We received the troubling information at approximately 3:35PM. The accident involved a TA Nelson van transporting 3 elementary age students from Dunbar Township Elementary from school to home. The accident occurred in Dunbar Township on Dunbar-Ohiopyle Rd. One student and the school van driver were transported by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh-area hospitals. Two students were transported by ambulance to local hospitals. We are thankful that the TA Nelson van driver applied his training and kept the students safe while waiting for first responders. We want to keep everyone involved in our thoughts."
An HVAC truck was involved in the crash but the driver was not injured.