By News-Item Staff
COAL TOWNSHIP - A longtime Coal Township police officer suffered cuts to his head and face early Tuesday when his patrol vehicle slid on an ice-covered bridge along Route 901 between Excelsior and Ranshaw and struck a guard rail.
Police reported Patrolman David Sage was injured in the 1:50 a.m. crash and transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital. Sage underwent emergency room treatment and was released.
Sage was driving a 2004 Ford Expedition east when he lost control of the vehicle on the ice, causing it to the strike guard rail on the south side of the bridge, rotate and slide to a stop, according to Patrolman Matthew Hashuga.
The Expedition sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Anthracite Towing.
PennDOT workers responded to the accident and spread anti-skid material on the highway. Route 901 was shut down between Routes 61 and 54 until the material was spread. Also assisting were Hashuga and members of Coal Township Fire Department.
Icy conditions
Periods of freezing drizzle and freezing light rain moved into the Susquehanna Valley shortly before midnight Monday, causing untreated surfaces to become icy. Accidents were reported on Route 54 near Natalie, Locust Gap Highway in Mount Carmel Township and Merriam Mountain south of Mount Carmel. The highways are typically prone to winter accidents.
The Natalie Mountain, Merriam Mountain, North Sixth Street leading to Marion Heights and the Viaduct at Mount Carmel were ordered closed by police until PennDOT treated the roads. Driving conditions were so dangerous that first responders who responded to an accident near Natalie were stuck on the mountain for an extended period of time until the road was treated several times.