3 people dead, 1 person hurt in overnight Lawrence County crash

SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Three people died in an overnight crash in Lawrence County.

The crash happened on Ellwood Road in Slippery Rock Township near the intersection with Hogue Road before 12:30 a.m.

See photos from the scene

The Lawrence County coroner tells Channel that a silver SUV traveling at a high rate of speed crossed the center line and left the road, shearing a telephone pole and hitting a parked car before becoming airborne and hitting a tree.

Three people, an adult man and two teens, died on scene. The coroner identifies the victims as Nathan Bogacki, 44, Emma Bogacki, 17, and Grant Bogacki, 13.

A 10-year-old girl was hurt in the crash and flown to a Pittsburgh hospital in critical condition.

“We are praying for you,” said Daniel Effinite of Slippery Rock Township. “We hope you’re doing alright. We’re praying for your daughter.”

Effinite, who lives nearby, heard the horrific crash and came running over.

“The kids...the kids were in the car,” Effinite said. “The neighbors over here, they grab me a crowbar. I get on top of the vehicle because you can hear the kids moaning in the car.”

Effinite said the kids’ mother was running toward the crash on Route 65 moments after it happened.

“The mother is screaming,” he said. “The kids are moaning in the car. I’m on top and I’m just trying to wrench this door open saying, ‘Please God, just please open this door.’”

Tributes and support from the softball community are pouring in for Emma Bogacki and her family.

The teen played for the Silver Creek Softball team and the Ellwood City Rec team. Several people wrote messages on Facebook saying she was a great athlete and a sweet girl with a wonderful personality.

“That poor family,” said Addie Tomski of Mohawk. “That mother. It’s so sad.”

Tomski, a mother of four and grandmother came to the crash site to leave balloons and pay her respects.

“My heart just breaks for them,” Tomski said. “I don’t know them personally but as a mother and grandmother, my heart breaks for them.”

The Pennsylvania State Police and Lawrence County Coroner’s Office are investigating the crash.

A GoFundMe has been created to help support the Bogacki family. Click here to donate.

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