Dirt Bike Accident Kills 2 On I-79
ROBINSON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Two people on a dirt bike were killed on Interstate 79 in Robinson Township.
The crash happened in the southbound lanes between the Coraopolis and Crafton exits around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
"The driver lost control of the vehicle after veering off onto the left berm, striking the guide rail, hitting the post and then throwing himself and his passenger over the bike," State Trooper Robin Mungo said.
A 47-year-old man and 46-year-old woman from New York were killed in the crash. Their names have not been released.
The accident happened on the "S" curves. The area's reputation for being dangerous has been well-earned over the years.
Five years ago, PennDOT began re-engineering and reconstruction to try and reduce the danger.
They've made changes to signs, pavement markings and reduced the speed limit for trucks to 45mph with positive results.
PennDOT Traffic Engineer Todd Kravits, P.E., said the number of crashes on the curves is going down.
The speed limit through the curves is 55mph.
"Because that's the speed that we feel it's safe," Kravits said.
While police don't believe overly excessive speed was a factor, the couple that died here has something in common with other victims claimed by the "S" curves.
"One of the accidents that we see driving south, the accidents that are involved with motorcycles and other vehicles are people that are unfamiliar with our area," Kravits said.
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