Man flown to hospital after crash

Accident closes section of Route 45

By Anne Danahy

GREGG TOWNSHIP — A Rebersburg man sustained serious injuries and was taken by helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center after a two-vehicle crash about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday on Penns Valley Road.

According to Rockview state police, Theresa L. Kieffer, 36, of State College, was driving a Suzuki XL7 and attempted to make a left turn from Kline Road onto Penns Valley Road (state Route 45).

The Suzuki pulled into the path of the 2003 Dodge Dakota Leonard L. Brungart, 81, was driving east on Penns Valley Road. The Dodge slid out of control and flipped onto the driver’s side before falling back on its wheels in the driveway of a house.

A section of state Route 45 was closed following the crash, reopening at about 3 p.m.

Emergency workers had to cut the roof off the Dodge to free Brungart and passenger Pauline Wingard, 87, of Coburn. Brungart sustained serious injuries and was flown to Geisinger. Wingard sustained moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Kieffer received minor injuries, police said. Police said charges may be filed once the investigation is complete.

The Dodge and Suzuki were towed from the scene.

Mike Struble, of Potters Mills, was visiting his son at the house where the Dodge came to a stop. They were in the back of the house when they heard the crash noise and called 911.

“It’s almost as bad as 322,” Struble said, referring to the number of crashes on that section of the road.