1 person dies, another airlifted from scene following crash on Route 136 in Hempfield

One person died and another was airlifted by a medical helicopter following a crash on Route 136 Friday evening, a Westmoreland emergency dispatcher confirmed.

The crash, which occurred around 7:10 p.m., closed the road between Lower Lane and Edna Road, near the Hempfield Area School district bus garage.

State police said the driver of a vehicle headed west on Route 136 crossed over the center line. The driver of a vehicle headed in the opposite direction swerved to avoid a crash. Police said as both attempted to get back in their respective lanes, the westbound driver struck the other car on the driver’s side.

A front-seat passenger in one of the cars was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The victim has not been identified. The driver in that car was freed after being briefly trapped in the wreckage.

They were airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for suspected injuries, including bleeding in the brain and a spinal fracture.

Neither were wearing seat belts, police said.

The other driver was transported to Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg for treatment of chest pains.

Police said he consented to a blood draw to test “for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol,” according to a state police release.

Route 136 reopened shortly after midnight, according to county 911 officials. The investigation is ongoing.