Pregnant Bellefonte woman killed in recent crash on I-99 in Centre County, police say
A pregnant Bellefonte woman was killed Friday after a rush hour crash on a major interstate in Centre County, state police wrote in a report released Monday.
Katharyn M. Derhammer, 29, died after a Boalsburg man rear-ended her at a high rate of speed about 6:05 p.m. Friday on Interstate 99 in Benner Township, police wrote. She was 33 weeks pregnant and the baby did not survive.
The interstate was congested Friday evening because of an unrelated traffic incident about a mile north. Among the vehicles stopped in the right lane were a 2011 Nissan Rogue driven by Derhammer and a pickup truck, which had been involved in a minor crash.
A 31-year-old Boalsburg man driving a GMC Yukon “failed to recognize the stopped traffic” and rear-ended Derhammer at a high rate of speed, police wrote. Troopers did not offer a more precise estimate of the man’s speed.
The crash set off a chain reaction that involved two more drivers in the crash, police wrote. Three of the four vehicles needed to be towed by Rich’s Amoco, while the other sustained minor damage. All drivers were wearing seat belts during the crash, police wrote.
Derhammer was taken by medical helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center, where she and her baby died. A message was left Monday with the Montour County Coroner’s Office. None of the other drivers reported injuries, police wrote.
Troopers were assisted by the Undine, Logan and Alpha fire companies, Centre LifeLink EMS, Mount Nittany Health and the state Department of Transportation. Part of I-99 was closed for about five hours Friday night while crews worked on the scene.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna’s office was notified and an investigation is ongoing, police wrote.
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM.