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Centre Hall man seriously injured in rush-hour crash on U.S. Route 322 in Potter Township

A Centre Hall man was seriously injured and flown to a hospital by medical helicopter Thursday after a rush-hour crash along U.S. Route 322 in Potter Township.

John Dunkelberger, 87, attempted to turn about 7:35 a.m. Thursday onto the major highway from Cider Press Road, but crashed head-on with a driver in the westbound lane, state police at Rockview wrote.

Dunkelberger was flown to UPMC Altoona for treatment, police wrote. The other driver declined medical treatment.

The two-lane road was closed in both directions for about one hour, Centre Hall Volunteer Fire Company Lt. Austin Brown said. The Boalsburg Fire Company, Geisinger Life Flight, Centre LifeLink EMS and Penns Valley EMS also responded.

There were 34 crashes that ended with serious or fatal injuries in the past decade in Potter Township, according to state Department of Transportation data. That was third-most of any municipality in Centre County.

Only State College (44) and Rush Township (38) reported more.

About 15,000 vehicles travel along that stretch of Route 322 daily, a PennDOT spokesperson said.

Life Flight transported a patient from a two vehicle crash on Route 322 on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Life Flight transported a patient from a two vehicle crash on Route 322 on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Boalsburg Fire Company Provided Photo
One of the vehicles involved in a two car accident on Route 322.
One of the vehicles involved in a two car accident on Route 322. Mike Frazier Photo provided
One of the vehicles involved in a two car accident on Route 322.
One of the vehicles involved in a two car accident on Route 322. Mike Frazier Photo provided
Penns Valley EMS and Boalsburg Fire company assist Life Flight with loading a patient after an accident on Route 322 on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Penns Valley EMS and Boalsburg Fire company assist Life Flight with loading a patient after an accident on Route 322 on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Mike Frazier Photo provided

This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 8:45 AM.

Bret Pallotto
Centre Daily Times
Bret Pallotto primarily reports on courts and crime for the Centre Daily Times. He was raised in Mifflin County and graduated from Lock Haven University.
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