Route 54 rollover crash blamed on illegal U-turn
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH/ SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A Subaru Forester is on its side on Route 54 at Buck Mountain Road on Oct. 28, 2023.
MAHANOY CITY – A crash that closed Route 54 eastbound from Mahanoy City up to Vulcan was caused by an illegal U-turn, state troopers said Tuesday.
The crash happened just after 10pm Saturday night on Route 54 at Buck Mountain Road.
Troopers said 66-year-old Jeffrey Deppen, of Coal Township, was headed west in a 2010 Subaru Forester towards Mahanoy City in the right lane at about 30mph.
Mario Pompei, 47, of Mahanoy City, was following behind in the left lane at about 45mph in a 2001 Toyota Camry.
Deppen, troopers said, attempted an illegal U-turn at Buck Mountain Road, crossing the path of Pompei’s sedan.
The sedan struck the side of Deppen’s Subaru, causing it to roll onto its passenger side.
Deppen’s passenger, 58-year-old Linda Deppen, of Coal Township, was injured and taken to a Pottsville hospital by Shenandoah Ambulance.
One of the Deppens had to be rescued from the vehicle by Mahanoy City West End firefighters.
Jeffrey Deppen will be cited for the crash.
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