PIKE TOWNSHIP – One person was killed and five others were injured in a four-vehicle accident Tuesday morning on state Route 879 just outside of Curwensville in Pike Township.
An asphalt truck was traveling westbound when it collided with a pick-up truck that was headed east on SR 879. The pick-up truck was forced into the westbound lane, causing the asphalt truck to overturn, according to fire officials.
The asphalt truck skidded more than 50 feet and then collided with two other vehicles. The driver of the pick-up truck, Dennis Yatta of Curwensville, was trapped inside and had to be extricated by firefighters, fire officials said.
Yatta went into cardiac arrest during extrication and was taken to Clearfield Penn Highlands, said fire officials. Yatta was pronounced dead at the hospital, and an autopsy will be performed to determine his cause and manner of death, said Clearfield County Coroner Mike Morris.
Five people, including the driver of the asphalt truck, were taken to Clearfield Penn Highlands for medical treatment, according to fire officials. Their names and conditions were not immediately available.
The asphalt truck spilled gallons of gas and asphalt, fire officials said. SR 879 was closed between the Old Erie Pike and Bailey Settlement Road while crews removed wreckage and the spilled gas and asphalt.
Crews, fire officials said, will need several days to clean up additional asphalt that was spilled in the grass near the roadway. State police at Clearfield are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident.
