A Schuylkill County man faces DUI charges after he crashed his vehicle into oncoming traffic on Route 61 just outside Pottsville Monday afternoon.
Suspected DUI Crash with Three Children in Back Seat
State Police at Schuylkill Haven allege Bernard Schuck, 31 of Mahanoy City, was DUI about 3:30 p.m. Monday. He was not wearing his seat belt. Schuck had 4 other passengers in his vehicle, including 3 children in the back seat.
Police say Schuck was driving on Route 61 South just before the intersection with Tumbling Run Road in North Manheim Township. That’s when his Suzuki Grand Vitara crossed over into the northbound lane.
Schuck’s vehicle was hit by a Chevy Silverado in one of the northbound lanes. It then hit another vehicle, a Kia Sorento, also traveling north.
You can see the extent of the damage caused in the crash from these photos taken by Yorkville Hose Fire-Rescue:
https://www.facebook.com/yorkville.firerescue/posts/2580773698846442?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBeV0qrakWS49gZt9F8IGrHvQQSPV1SlgTCYF_gqGep-ZzDruCvB7wr9yt7NJ4TyC49CryfkcRhpHDiax7CXDpetsFX6XWvdfwZxDn1pufAetAE1FfMyS3ss6UW7Ttlm1GBhkcwReiAqLPtxOUyBbbkZHvNt-5oEKP_sQLYA4obOlJkb7oP3Dh5GP73ESagxajbrvLlTD6VaxDK4I-lx3tIRyE1EiY8WXAJedkPLIq2qa7_a22ip4PImY4rnLFlvjcFxwosDLm2uA6uy6VQwsNUThrfD4AhhC76JkgAYVORaGuEGzd7b3dR_SMn_1638HPw5mrVKSg_3FR6upHZLZSMEZY7&__tn__=-R
The crash closed the northbound lanes of Route 61 for four hours. Emergency crews were just clearing the scene at about 7:30 p.m.
Police say Schuck sustained serious injuries in the crash. No conditions are given on his passengers or the drivers of the other vehicles. The drivers of the Sorento and Silverado were alone, based on information from State Police.
Schuck was taken to a local hospital via Pottsville/Schuylkill Haven Area EMS. A blood test will determine if Schuck was DUI at the time of the crash.
** UPDATE **
- According to a WFMZ-TV report, a total of 6 people were injured in the crash. Three people needed to be airlifted to nearby hospitals for treatment of injuries.
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