Girl Killed in Thanksgiving Eve Crash in Doylestown
A 10-year-old girl from Pipersville was killed and three others injured, one critically, in a crash on the Rt. 611 Bypass in Doylestown.
A 10-year-old girl from Pipersville lost her life and three others were fighting for theirs Wednesday night after a car crash on the Rt. 611 Bypass in Doylestown.
The crash happened at 6:46 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the Bypass near the Broad Street exit, said Lt. Matt O'Connor, of the Doylestown Township Police.
The girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman who was driving the Honda CRV the girl was in was flown to Temple University Hospital, O'Connor said. She was believed to be in extremely critical condition late Wednesday, police said.
Police believe the 55-year-old woman, also of Pipersville, was the girl's grandmother but have not been able to confirm that yet, the lieutenant said.
Two people from the other car, a Ford Mustang, also were taken to hospital for treatment. The 32-year-old driver, a man, was airlifted to Abington Memorial Hospital, where he was in serious condition late Wednesday, O'Connor said. His female passenger also was taken to Abington and also was in serious condition.
The collision left the Mustang in the median between the southbound and northbound lanes on the north side of the Broad Street overpass, O'Connor said, and the Honda on the south side of the Broad Street overpass.
Dozens of emergency rescuers converged on the scene, working for about 45 minutes to extricate the victims. O'Connor said they had to cut into both cars to get the victims out.
The northbound lanes of the Bypass were shut down for hours as police investigated the scene. Traffic was routed off at the Broad Street exit.
O'Connor said police still are investigating what may have caused the crash.
"It's still under investigation, and we’re looking at a number of factors," O'Connor said.
Dozens of rescuers responded to the scene, including the Doylestown, Dublin, Plumsteadville and Warrington fire companies, and Doylestown Township and Doylestown Borough Police and Plumstead Police.
Many passersby who saw the aftermath of the crash expressed shock and sadness and sent their thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims through comments here and on our Facebook page.
Earlier story and updates below:
Update 9:10 p.m.:
The northbound lanes of the Rt. 611 Bypass are closed near Broad Street and are expected to remain closed for some time due to the accident, Doylestown Borough officials said.
Doylestown Township Police are handling the investigation on the scene of the crash.
Update 8:29 p.m.:
Police have confirmed two people were killed in the crash, according to emergency reports. Two others were airlifted with critical injuries.
Update 8:21 p.m.:
The victims flown from the crash reportedly have been taken to Temple University Hospital and to Abington Memorial Hospital, both of which have sophisticated trauma centers.
Update 8:08 p.m.:
Police have requested that PennDot bring up 'Road Closed' signs for the Rt. 611 Bypass, advising that they likely will be on the scene for hours.
The northbound lanes of the Bypass are expected to be closed for some time.
Update 8:02 p.m.:
Extrication is reportedly complete and one person is believed to have been killed at the scene. Two victims reportedly are being airlifted out of Doylestown Hospital with critical injuries.
Initial report: 7:32 p.m.
Emergency responders are on the scene of a scene of a car crash, reportedly near the Rt. 611 Bypass and Broad Street in Doylestown.
The crash happened shortly before 7 p.m., according to emergency reports.
Initial reports indicate that two people may have been killed in the crash and others injured, but that has not been officially confirmed at this time.
Drivers report that the northbound lanes of the Rt. 611 Bypass are closed as emergency responders work to remove the victims from the vehicles.
Medics have requested two Pennstar helicopters to fly the victims.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Shannon
8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I was at this scene tonight. Just heartbreaking. Helicopters were above but none ever landed. I don't know if they were news or Pennstar.
Francine
8:07 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Just passed by this. I am horrified. Looked like a mustang vs a CRV. Praying for the families of those who are affected by this.
John Hoover
8:07 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I know one of them was channel 10. I was coming north bound and all traffic was being forced off at board st. You could exit and get back on and by pass the scene both directions. Hope everyone is okay.
John Hoover
8:08 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Yeah the one car by the 313 exit sigh was the crv. Recognize the door panel I saw.
John Hoover
8:33 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
few pics i got. not the best but give you the idea.
Sarah Larson
8:52 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thank you so much, John. Very appreciated.
Ingrid Auerbach
8:41 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
So sad. I agree Sarah those family's lives will never be the same.
Ray Case
9:07 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The car between the lanes on the north end of the overpass was destroyed - the roof was completely gone and the front end was smashed down. It must have gone against the overpass on its side. So awful.
John Hoover
9:12 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
i wasnt able to see the other car. i tried when going back down the on ramp to go north but to mant trees and stuff. that must have been the reported mustang.
John Hoover
9:17 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
sarah your very welcome.
samantha s.
9:31 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
terribly sad to hear that two people didn't make it...i passed the accident on the way home from work, it was very scary. people speed all the time on this road. i'm wandering if alcohol was involved judging by what night of the year it is
Lisa
9:37 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Just passed the accident exiting on broad street ramp. Very sad. My prayers go to the families.
Shannon
9:38 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Ray, the jaws of life were used on that car which is why the roof was removed. Both cars had people trapped. I believe one of the persons who died was a child. This happened right outside of my house and I called 911 as soon as I heard the bang.
seanna niwinski
9:43 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I heard it was a 7 yr old girl who passed. :(( so awful. And that the driver was impaired and was finally caught in quakertown. This is all hear say though. My hearts goes out to everyone involved.
Ingrid Auerbach
10:24 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Where did you hear about the impaired driver??
Sarah Larson
9:43 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Oh, Shannon, how horrible. :(
Shannon
10:17 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The news vans are out there now. My brother died in a car accident 13 years ago November 6th. I totally understand the heartache this will be for the families. My stomach is in knots! I didn't take any photos. Too close to home I guess. Kudos to the crews though...by the time I got my shoes and sweatshirt on and out the door, some were at the scene already.
Heather
10:51 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Just uploaded a few pictures from when I drove by... it's just awful
A
11:11 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I think it is a sin to take pictures of such a horrific accident and post them when the families of these victims may or may not have been notified. My thoughts and prayers r with the families suffering tonight.
Heather
11:25 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
It's the news, but it doesn't make it any less terrible to witness.
C
11:39 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
That would be a horrible way to find out your loved one was killed. Praying for all the families involved.
samantha s.
2:26 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
people need to be informed, and maybe if people see what can happen they will be a little more careful...even safe life
Gail Vasquez
8:04 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I completely agree A....people..please be considerate and compassionate!!!! DON'T TAKE PHOTO's and post them publicaly!!! These people all have family members that may not yet know about the accident...how would you feel to find out you lost a loved one that way??
Sarah Larson
11:54 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
C, and A, thank you for your thoughtful input. We try to handle such terrible events as sensitively as possible, and I don't believe any of the photos here would have been able to identify either of the cars or the people involved. The police are not identifying them at this time, either.
The final update of the night has been posted. Other reports have the girl's age as 7 or 8, but the police told me she was 10.
Thoughts and prayers go out to her family, and those of everyone involved.
Sarah
12:14 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
my prayers go out to those families and my heart breaks for that little girl!
John Hoover
12:19 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Agree with what Sarah said. The pics posted are from to faraway to identify anything.
Carol
5:26 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I live near 611 and heard helicopters and sirens and wasn't sure what was going on. Its heartbreaking to wake up and read a 10 year old was killed and another died. My prayers goes out to the families.
Sandy
7:03 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Please keep the folks and their families in constant prayer. On a day that most of us will be celebrating and feeling thankful there will be feelings of such great sadness and loss.
Laura Freed
7:22 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Great reporting/updating. It's human nature to be curious. Thanks so all the EMS/FF - though it's part of the job- I'm sure they will be extra thankful and a bit contemplative today.
kevin
8:20 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thumbs down to the guy who posted the photos. Not so much for taking them and posting them, but clearly doing it while driving and looking to cause another accident!
Scott Breffitt
8:43 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
My heart goes out to these family members involved in this horrific accident. Thanksgiving will never be the same for them, especially for the family that lost the young girl. My prayers goes out these families.
AL
1:02 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thoughts and prayers to the families involved. Especially the family of the lost little girl. Heartbreaking to read this news.
John Hoover
2:18 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
the pics were taken as traffic was at a near stand still waiting to exit to roadway.
kevin
11:55 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
that must be why they're so in focus, and why one shot shows cars in both lanes of travel. Stop making excuses and leave the damn phone alone the WHOLE time you in a car. I'll be the guy honking at you while you sit at a green light with your head down.
Frank Dolski
3:10 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Very sad situation for all parties!
Carla
3:52 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Very, very sad situation for all involved; and their families.
Lyn Hazley
3:58 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Folks drive like maniacs on this road every single day, wish Doylestown and Plumsteadville would enforce the speeds more often in their stretches of the road. Prayers go out to the little girls family sympathies go out to their loss, prayers on a speedy recovery for the grandmother.
Brando Monium
6:23 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I heard two cars were racing eachother and one of them hit someone not involed.... i of course dont know if this is true or not though
Kathy
8:13 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Sarah Larson, Thanks for the excellent reporting.
Kathy Guarini
Alberta
10:32 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
What difference does it make what the charges/convictions against Bruce Bodden may be. He will only do a few years is prison, and then he will be free to murder other innocent persons. The laws against vehicular homicide are much too week. A. Lee, Doylestown