One Man Dead Following a Car Crash in Bradford County

A single-vehicle crash in Towanda Township, Bradford County, claimed the life of a 42-year-old man on November 23. According to news reports, the incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Old Plank Road in Towanda when the driver’s vehicle left the roadway, struck several objects, and ended in a ditch. Investigators noted he was not wearing a seat belt at the time.

Seat Belt Use and Traffic Fatalities

Lack of seat belt use remains one of the leading contributors to traffic fatalities. In rollover crashes, unbelted occupants are often ejected from the vehicle, dramatically increasing their risk of fatal injury. Even in non-rollover crashes, unbelted occupants can suffer severe trauma from impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or other vehicle components.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, seat belts have proven effective in reducing the severity of injuries in a car crash. Recent data shows that 44.7 percent of people who died in car accidents in PA in 2023 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

Pennsylvania requires everyone to be buckled up when riding in a motor vehicle—even in short distances. Children should be properly restrained in a child passenger restraint system until they are old enough to use the seat belts in the vehicle.

Modern vehicles have sophisticated safety systems, which work best when occupants are properly restrained. Remember: The few seconds it takes to buckle up could save your life.

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 that take place 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.