1 Killed, 2 Critically Injured In I-79 Crash
FRANKLIN PARK (KDKA) -- Pennsylvania State Police say a car traveling north on Interstate 79 crossed the median, went airborne and crashed head-on into an SUV coming the other way Wednesday afternoon.
Inside the SUV was a mother and child. The impact of the crash sent the SUV off the road and down a hill.
Corporal Kevin Brown says a female passenger in the car was killed. She has been identified by authorities as 52-year-old Diane Spuntak of Mars.
"The vehicle was traveling northbound, for some reason crossed over the center median, when it exited the center median it became airborne, [and] struck another vehicle that was traveling southbound," said Cpl Brown.
He said the driver of the car and the driver of the SUV were both critically injured. The 7-week-old child, who had been properly placed in a child safety seat, was not hurt.
Officials have identified the driver of the car as 58-year-old James McGuigan. The woman driving the SUV has been identified as 25-year-old Brennda Halbedl.
Traffic on Interstate 79 was backed up for hours on Wednesday as police funneled three lanes into one just south of the Wexford exit.
Accident re-constructionists are trying to determine why the car crossed the median.
McGuigan, of Mars, and Halbedl, Of Oakdale, were both taken to Allegheny General Hospital for treatment.
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