Sunday, April 16, 2023

Man and Child Seriously Injured in Saturday's Crash on Route 61 near Orwigsburg

A man and child were seriously injured in a crash on Route 61 on Saturday.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, the crash occurred just after 3:30pm, on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, in the southbound lanes of Route 61 at the intersection with Paramount Boulevard (Rutter's Intersection) in West Brunswick Township.

Troopers say two vehicles were traveling in the passing lane at the time of the crash.  A Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Jarred Remp, 32, of Schuylkill Haven, and a Toyota Camry, driven by Shirley Smith, 63, of Pottsville.

Police say the crash occurred as Remp was traveling behind Smith.  Remp used the left turn only lane at the intersection and passed Smith, then began to merge back into the passing lane.  His vehicle clipped Smith's vehicle causing him to slide, and crash into the traffic control light pole for the intersection.   Remp was heavily entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency personnel.  

Remp and his 9-year-old passenger sustained non-life threatening serious injuries and was transported by Schuylkill EMS to area hospitals.

Smith was not injured.

Route 61 was closed for several hours while the crash was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit and Collision Analyst Reconstruction Specialists.

Assisting during the incident were Schuylkill EMS, Deer Lake Fire Department, Orwigsburg Fire Department and Fire Police.