Woman killed; 3 students, driver hurt in crash involving school van in Dunbar Township

DUNBAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A woman was killed and a student and school van driver were flown to trauma centers after a three-vehicle crash in Fayette County on Monday afternoon.

According to Fayette County 911, emergency crews were called to Furnace Hill Road in Dunbar Township at 3:33 p.m.

On Channel 11 News starting at 5 p.m., the school van driver turned hero and how he quickly got ahold of help in an area with no cell phone service.

State police said a woman driving one of the vehicles involved was attempting to pass another vehicle in front of her in the westbound lane.

While the woman was attempting to pass, a Connellsville Area School District van was traveling in the eastbound lane. The woman failed to get back into her correct lane of travel and struck the school van head on.

The woman’s car was thrown back into the westbound lane on impact and was struck by a third car that was unable to stop.

The woman, Brenda Dewitt, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other students were hospitalized for minor injuries. All of the students involved were elementary age, according to the Connellsville superintendent.

State Police said alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors in the crash.

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