Woman Dies After Head-On Crash on the PA Turnpike in Luzerne County

A 65-year-old woman died after a wrong-way car crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Luzerne County on November 29. According to state police, the woman had succumbed to her injuries after the Nissan she was riding in was hit head-on by another vehicle that entered the Turnpike in the wrong direction.

News reports state the driver traveling northbound had merged onto the Turnpike at the interchange’s southbound ramp and hit the Nissan a short distance up the ramp. The other driver was cited for driving in the wrong direction.

The driver of the Nissan was also injured and hospitalized.

Wrong Way Car Accidents in NEPA

Wrong-way driving accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes. According to the Federal Highway Administration, on average, about 350 people are killed each year in wrong-way car crashes. Most of these accidents occur in one-way traffic streets, such as on highway ramps.

Common causes of wrong-way car accidents include:

• Confusion at highway entrances and exits: Complex interchange designs and multiple entrance and exit ramps can confuse drivers. If the road is in a construction zone, the signs may be unclear as to where the driver should go.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol is still a major factor in wrong-way driving accidents. Alcohol and drug use can increase disorientation, causing the driver not to pay attention to the roadway.
• Poor visibility: As we all know from living in Northeastern Pennsylvania, poor weather conditions can happen quite frequently. Nighttime driving, heavy fog, and snowy weather can reduce visibility and cover lane markings.
• Inadequate signage: Faded road markings, poorly lit entrance and exit ramps, and missing or damaged traffic control devices can cause wrong-way driving.

If you encounter a wrong-way driver, staying alert and calm is key. Slow down immediately and move to the right lane or shoulder while keeping track of the vehicles around you. Flash your headlines and use your horn repeatedly to let the wrong-way driver know they are going the wrong way. If the driver continues to drive in the wrong lane, call 911 to let them know what’s happening and where the driver is located.

If you get into an accident with a wrong way driver, it’s best to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Luzerne County to understand your legal rights. Call for a free consultation.

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.