Route 217 Derry Twp PA crash kills woman

An Indiana County woman tragically lost her life in a head-on collision on state Route 217 in Derry Township on Monday afternoon. Identified as Regina L. Endress, 49, of Ash Street, Josephine, she was pronounced dead at the scene by Westmoreland County Deputy Coroner Steven A. Whiteman. Endress was not wearing a seatbelt. One child, a passenger in Endress’ Chevrolet Cruze, was airlifted to a Pittsburgh-area hospital, although their condition remains unknown. Fortunately, the child was able to extricate themselves from the vehicle, as reported by Derry Township Volunteer Fire Department Co. No. 1 Chief Mark Piantine. The accident, which occurred around 12:18 p.m. near Barkley Road, resulted from Endress’ vehicle traveling in the northbound lane and colliding head-on with a van in the southbound lane. The van carried a driver and two children, all of whose conditions were also unknown. Emergency crews from Blairsville and Latrobe volunteer fire departments responded, along with three medical units and two district chiefs. Route 217 was closed for approximately three hours for Pennsylvania State Police investigation, during which PennDOT managed traffic control. Responding firefighters provided stuffed animals to comfort the children during evaluation by EMS, a gesture intended to provide some sense of security. The prompt response of Bradenville emergency personnel was facilitated by a prior activation to assist with a carbon monoxide alarm in Derry Borough, just moments before they were rerouted to the scene of the accident. Following the head-on collision, the fire department also addressed two additional vehicle accidents on the southern end of Route 217 in Derry Township near Industrial Boulevard. Our top Pennsylvania car accident lawyers are here to help.

In Pennsylvania, if a person dies in a car accident due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party, their surviving family members may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. To pursue such a claim, the following elements typically need to be established:

1. Duty of Care: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased. In the context of a car accident, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles responsibly and obey traffic laws.
2. Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must show that the defendant breached this duty of care. This could involve actions such as speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, or other negligent behaviors.
3. Causation: It must be proven that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and subsequent death of the victim.
4. Damages: The plaintiff needs to show that they suffered measurable damages as a result of the death, which could include medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
5. Standing: Only certain individuals are typically eligible to bring a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania, such as spouses, children, or parents of the deceased.

If these elements are established, the surviving family members may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. It’s essential for them to consult with an experienced attorney specializing in wrongful death cases to evaluate the circumstances of the accident and determine the best course of legal action.