PINE TOWNSHIP – A 48-year-old Ridgway woman, Rebecca Towne, died yesterday from severe injuries she sustained after two vehicles burst into flames after an accident on state Route 153 on Sept. 21 in Pine Township, according to the state police at Clearfield.
Robert Wiseman, 44, of Hyde was traveling southbound while Towne was traveling northbound at the time of the accident. As Wiseman attempted to pass a vehicle ahead of him, he lost control and traveled eastward into the oncoming lane.
Then, Wiseman’s vehicle slid sideways and was struck by the Towne vehicle. Towne was unable to stop to avoid Wiseman’s vehicle. After impact Wiseman’s vehicle overturned onto its roof, entrapping him and bursting into flames. Towne’s vehicle was forced backward, trapping all four occupants and also burst into flames.
Occupants from both vehicles were pulled to safety by witnesses and passersby, as both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames, state police said. All occupants were transported from the scene with severe injuries.
The investigation into the accident is continuing, and state police are attempting to identify and contact witnesses. These individuals are urged to contact the state police at Clearfield at 814-857-3800 and to please ask for Cpl. Robert Straw or Trooper Dennis Peters.