Three Injured in 5-Vehicle Crash on Route 309 Between Hometown and Tamaqua

Three people were injured in a 5-vehicle crash on Route 309 last week in Rush Township.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, the crash occurred around 11:30pm, on Thursday, July 25th, 2024, on Route 309 just south of the Ye Old Hauto Road.

Troopers say the crash began as Colleen Stanek, 62, of Tamaqua was driving north in a Nissan Rogue and crossed the center line while negotiating a right curve in the roadway.  

Stanek struck a tractor trailer, driven by Robert McCleary, 50, of Miramar, FL, that was headed south.

Both vehicles sustained disabling damage.

Stanek and her passengers, Frank Bowman, 53, and Olivia Stanek, 24, of Tamaqua were injured and transported to St. Luke’s Miners Hospital in Coaldale.  McCleary was not injured.

A second crash occurred involving 3 vehicles when traffic slowed heading northbound.

Troopers said Alexis Whiting, 23, of Wilkes Barre had pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway due to the crash when a second vehicle, driven by Yaniel Arriaga Ceballos, 22, of West Hazleton swerved to avoid the crash and struck Whiting’s vehicle.  Ariaga Ceballos vehicle then struck a 3rd vehicle heading south head-on.

No injuries were reported in the secondary crash.  All three vehicles were disabled and towed from the scene.