Woman, 55, killed in Route 422 accident ID'd

ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. — Police in Armstrong County said one person was killed in an accident along Route 422 early Tuesday morning.

State police in Kittanning said the accident involved two coal trucks and a passing vehicle.

The Armstrong County coroner identified the victim as 55-year-old Dorothy Lynn LaVan, of Indiana, Pa.

The coroner said LaVan was traveling eastbound when she began to pass a tri-axle truck, crossed into the westbound lane and struck the front of a second tri-axle truck, causing it to catch on fire.

Pennsylvania State Trooper Thomas Dubovi said witnesses told officers that LaVan had crossed the center line several times before the crash.

“Whether she was having some sort of difficulty or whether she was tired, we don’t know. They left from Ohio early this morning,” Dubovi said.

Investigators said LaVan's car then came back into the eastbound lane and came to a rest on the berm. LaVan was ejected from her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, the coroner said.

One of the coal truck drivers was taken to Indiana Hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The other truck driver was not hurt.

LaVan's husband was taken to an area hospital where officials said he is expected to survive.

The coroner said the LaVans were on their way home after spending the holiday weekend with relatives in Ohio.

Neighbors who live near the crash scene said the stretch of Route 422 is dangerous. Armstrong County District Attorney Scott J. Andreassi said the best way to make the dangerous road safer is for drivers to be more alert.

“It’s got to be the driver paying attention. It’s got to be the driver doing things like not texting, not drinking coffee and not traveling 70 or 80 mph,” Andreassi said.

Investigators said the east and westbound lanes of Route 422 will remain closed while crews work to clear the scene.

Traffic is being detoured eastbound at Super Shooters and westbound at the Margaret intersection.

WPXI