Heavy rain figured in fatal accident
Lewis Run woman killed near RimrockBy BRIAN FERRY bferry@timesobserver.com
Officials are saying weather conditions played a role in the fatal crash on Rt. 59 Tuesday afternoon just outside of Warren County.
According to Kane-based state police, Jay C. Darwin, 52, Sugar Grove was driving west on Route 59 in Corydon Township, McKean County, at 4:13 p.m. in heavy rain and wet road conditions. Police said he lost control of his truck, which began to slide counter-clockwise. Darwin overcorrected for the problem, police said, resulting in a clockwise spin. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a car driven by Cathy J. Dibonaventura, of Sunbury, with the front left of the truck striking the front right of the car, according to police. The truck then rolled onto its roof.
According to police, Darwin had minor injuries as a result of the crash and refused treatment.
Police said Dibonaventura received moderate injuries in the crash.
Sherry L. Hayter, 50, of Lewis Run, one of the passengers in Dibonaventura's car, was transported to Warren General Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
The other passengers were Christen L. Deibler, 25, of Sunbury, who suffered major injury, and two five-year-old girls, both of Sunbury. One of the girls received moderate injuries, the other minor injuries, police said.
According to police, Deibler had to be extricated from the car and was taken to Hamot Medical Center, Erie.
Responding agencies and units included state police, Clarendon VFD ambulance, Emergycare, Corydon Township volunteer firefighters, Corydon ambulance, and Bradford City ambulance.
Police said Darwin was charged with a violation of driving vehicle at safe speed. They added that an investigation into the crash is continuing.
