Franklin County, PA – One Dead, Two Injured in Vehicle Accident

Franklin County, PA (February 14, 2025) – One person was killed, and two were injured following a car accident in Franklin County on February 13.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Molly Pitcher Highway at the intersection with Pin Oak Court in Greene Township at 1:10 a.m. Police found the car had flipped over in a field off the southbound shoulder of the highway.

Investigators believe wet road conditions caused the car to travel off the shoulder, strike an embankment, and go airborne before landing in the field.

Police say that three vehicle occupants were ejected from the vehicle at the time of the accident. Both passengers are believed to have sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

The driver was also transported to the hospital, where he later died due to severe injuries sustained during the crash.

How Weather Conditions Play A Role in Pennsylvania Car Accidents

Wet road conditions in Pennsylvania create significant hazards that often contribute to automobile accidents and subsequent injury claims. When water accumulates on roadways, it reduces tire traction and increases stopping distances, making it more challenging for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. This creates conditions where hydroplaning becomes a serious risk, particularly when drivers fail to adjust their speed appropriately for the weather conditions.

Under Pennsylvania law, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely regardless of weather conditions. This means reducing speed, increasing following distance, and exercising heightened caution when roads are wet. However, in car accident such as these, multiple parties may bear responsibility. While the immediate cause might appear to be weather-related, other factors often come into play, such as inadequate road maintenance, poor drainage design, or defective tires.

To establish liability in a wet road accident case, it’s important to document the weather conditions, road conditions, and any contributing factors at the time of the accident. This might include photographs of standing water, skid marks, or poor drainage systems. Expert testimony from accident reconstructionists can help demonstrate how the wet conditions contributed to the crash and whether other factors, such as excessive speed or inadequate road maintenance, played a role. In cases where poor road maintenance contributed to the accident, claims might also be filed against government entities, though these cases have special notice requirements and shorter filing deadlines.

If the conditions of the road caused your car accident, you may have a personal injury case. Contact an experienced Chambersburg personal injury lawyer at Munley Law to learn your legal options.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.

Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.