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Three Dead After Crash on I-81 South in Luzerne County

BUTLER TOWNSHIP — State police said three people are dead after a head-on crash on Interstate 81 in Luzerne County. The crash happened on Interstate 81 so...

BUTLER TOWNSHIP -- State police said three people are dead after a head-on crash on Interstate 81 in Luzerne County.

The crash happened on Interstate 81 southbound right after the junction with Interstate 80 just after 6:30 a.m. Friday.

Troopers said one of the vehicles crossed into oncoming traffic. The driver of that car, Daniel Sleva Jr., 24, of Mahanoy City, was killed. According to state police, he was not wearing a seatbelt.

State police said a family from New York were in the other car. The mother and son were killed. The father survived.

State police identified the victims as Debra Johnson, 58, and Peter Johnson, 24, both of Greenville, New York.

The father, Peter Johnson, 59, was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley and is in serious condition, according to state police.

Investigators said the son in the back seat was not wearing a seatbelt.

Both southbound lanes of I-81 were closed while crews investigated. They reopened just after 10 a.m.

Check Newswatch 16’s Traffic Tracker page for updates.

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