COAL TOWNSHIP - Two Mount Carmel teens were hospitalized as a result of a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Route 61 at the entrance to Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell reported Daniel Swatsky, 17, of 230 East Ave., and his passenger, Ashley Docherty, 18, of 246 S. Vine St., were injured and treated at the scene of the 3:08 p.m. accident before being transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital. Both victims underwent emergency room treatment before being released.
Purcell said Swatsky was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu south on Route 61 toward Kulpmont when his car struck a 2012 Ford Escape operated by Dana Madl, 17, of 827 E. Clay St., Shamokin, who was traveling north on the highway and attempting to turn into Wal-Mart. Madl escaped injury.
The car sustained extensive front-end damage, while the Escape had moderate to extensive damage to its front passenger side. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
The accident remains under investigation.
Coal Township firefighters and fire police helped clean debris from the scene and re-direct southbound traffic on Route 61 into the Wal-Mart parking lot area, where motorists turned around and made a right turn at the traffic signal to continue toward Kulpmont. Motorists exiting the Wal-Mart lot wishing to travel north on the highway toward Shamokin were backed up at the traffic signal until emergency personnel cleared the scene.
Police remained at the scene until about 4 p.m.
Also assisting were Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga, Coal Township fire chiefs and Coal Township Rescue Squad.