NEW KENSINGTON, Pa.,None — Police said a 22-year-old woman who crashed head-on into a police sport utility vehicle in New Kensington appeared to have been intoxicated.
Lower Burrell police Officer Ted Meixelsberger, 55, was hospitalized in the crash. He was released from the hospital Monday afternoon.
Jessica Blandford, of New Kensington, is in serious condition at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The drivers crashed into each other along to Route 780 (Red Barn Roa) early Monday morning. Both suffered only moderate injuries, police said.
According to police, Blandford was traveling west on Seventh Street Road when she crossed the double line and slammed into the police SUV.
The impact deployed the officer's SUV's air bag and pushed to it the berm of the road on a hillside, police said. Blandford's sedan landed sideways in the road.
Police said Blandford appeared intoxicated, and they expect to file charges against her. Channel 11 News learned Blandford was on probation for a previous DUI charge.
Neighbor Laura Arbuckle said the overnight crash was the worst she's seen in 40 years.
"I was afraid somebody died. I really did. I couldn't tell you how many accidents there's been," said Arbuckle. "A lot of accidents right at this bend."
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