CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — In one case, a motorcyclist crashed into a vehicle. In another, a train struck a woman while she walked near tracks.
In one week this month, five people died in five different wrecks in Carbon County, law enforcement and death investigation reports show. Six people have died in crashes this year, according to state police data.
The year's total number of deaths so far does not put Carbon County on track to greatly surpass the county’s average number of yearly vehicle fatalities, which state Department of Transportation data shows is roughly 11 people.
However, the short length of time— five deadly accidents between May 17 to May 24 – is unusual. It is among the deadliest weeks for county drivers and pedestrians in at least 20 years, PennDOT data shows.
Here’s what’s happened during that week.
Jayden Gable, 21, of Mahoning Township, collided with another vehicle near Interchange Road and Maple Avenue in Franklin Township on May 17. Gable, a motorcyclist, later died at Lehigh Valley Hospital — Cedar Crest.
Walter M. Niedermeyer, 81, of Slatington, was hurt when he hit a parked car on May 20 on Delaware Avenue in Palmerton. He died four days later at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem.
Kumrie Zuberi, 28, of White Haven, died May 20 when a train struck her in Kidder Township. Her death was ruled an accident.
Kevon C. Cooper, 40, of Lansford, was hit by a car on May 23 while walking on East Patterson Street in Lansford. He died Saturday at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, and his death was ruled an accident.
Trevor S. Hunsicker, 36, of Kingston, lost control of his vehicle on May 24 while driving on Ashtown Road in Mahoning Township and struck another car heading the other way. He was pronounced dead a few hours later in Lehigh Valley Hospital — Cedar Crest, and his death was ruled an accident.
Before May 17, there had been just one deadly wreck this year in Carbon County. Sean Maiden, 48, of Lansford, was a passenger in a car that ran off East Patterson Street in Lansford early March 9 and hit a tree and guard rail.
Maiden died, and the driver, James Carroll, was seriously injured.
