Car crashes into Pa. fundraiser for fire victims: reports

BERWICK - Authorities in northeastern Pennsylvania responded to a multi-scene incident that started with a car plowing into a fundraiser here.

According to initial reports, a person drove a car into a crowd at the benefit fundraiser in Berwick, Columbia County, and then sped off. That driver then was involved in a second crash, sources said, in the Luzerne County town of Nescopeck.

Authorities said police have one suspect in custody.

The Citizens Voice, a newspaper based in Wilkes-Barre, reported that the Berwick incident and the second crash are connected to a homicide that also occurred Saturday in Nescopeck.

The Berwick crash was reported about 6:30 p.m., at the Intoxicology Department bar, and media reports from that scene said multiple persons were hurt. At least one report said 13 people were being treated at Geisinger Danville. No information was immediately available on the extent of their injuries.

News station WNEP reported that the fundraiser was a daylong event benefitting the families of the 10 victims of the fire in Nescopeck the previous week.

“This is crazy. I didn’t even bury my kids yet,” The Citizens Voice quoted Nescopeck volunteer firefighter Harold Baker as saying as he hugged a woman outside the Berwick scene, telling her other family members were hurt when the car ran into the crowd. Baker’s son, daughter and three grandchildren were among the 10 people who died in the Aug. 5 fire.

The dead from the fire included seven adults and three children. All 10 victims died of smoke inhalation, according to the Luzerne County coroner.

Late Saturday night, the operators of the Intoxicology Department posted the following on its Facebook page: “Today was an absolute tragedy. We will be closed until further notice. Please respect our privacy while we grieve and try to process the events that occurred. Thank you.”