BRADFORD TOWNSHIP – The Clearfield-based State Police have released the name of the 44-year-old Quinlan, TX woman who was killed in a single-vehicle accident Wednesday night on Interstate 80 in Bradford Township.
Police identified the woman as passenger Debra Renee Bell, 44, of Quinlan, TX. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Clearfield County Deputy Coroner Michael Polachek.
In addition, operator Thomas Jeffrey Bell, 40, also of Quinlan, TX, was extricated from the tractor-trailer. He was flown to the Altoona Hospital for treatment of major injuries.
According to the accident report, (Thomas) Bell was traveling eastbound at mile marker 126.4 on I-80. For unknown reasons, his tractor-trailer left the roadway, traveling eastward for several hundred feet in the median, police said.
At that time, police said the tractor-trailer struck several large trees with its front end. After impact, the trailer’s load of frozen beef products was propelled through the front of the trailer and onto the cab. (Thomas) Bell was trapped inside as a result.
Police were assisted at the scene by the Bigler-Jackson-Woodland Fire Company, Lawrence Township Fire Company, Hyde Fire Company, Clearfield Emergency Medical Services, STAT Medivac and Clearfield County PennDOT.
Police said the accident is still under investigation at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is urged to contact the Clearfield State Police at 814-857-3800.
