1 dead in I-80 crash in Marion Township after police pursuit that started in Clinton County
A South Dakota man died in a crash Wednesday after leading a police pursuit into Centre County, state police at Lamar wrote in a statement.
The chase began about 8 p.m. Wednesday in Clinton County. An officer attempted to stop a 2004 Nissan Titan for speeding, but the man continued driving along Interstate 80 at a “high rate of speed,” police wrote.
Daryl Gakin, 34, hit a guardrail in Marion Township and “rolled over numerous times,” police wrote. He died at the scene.
Gakin died of blunt force trauma, Centre County Deputy Coroner Debra Smeal wrote in a statement Thursday. His death was ruled accidental.
Drug or alcohol use is suspected, police wrote.
The westbound lanes of I-80 were closed for about 6 1/2 hours, a state Department of Transportation spokesperson said.
This story was originally published June 24, 2021 at 11:44 AM.