BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 62-year-old man from New Jersey was killed Thursday when the SUV he was driving left Interstate 476, rolled down an embankment and caught fire, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Circumstances of the crash
State police reported the crash occurred around 2 p.m. on the northbound side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike near mile marker 109.6 in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County. The driver, identified by authorities as 62-year-old Joseph P. Kelly of Sewell, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Luzerne County coroner.
According to the police account, the sport-utility vehicle — a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox — was traveling on a wet roadway when it ran off the right side of the highway. The SUV struck a guide rail, tumbled down an embankment multiple times and subsequently caught fire.
Passenger injured, response and investigation
A passenger in the vehicle, 68-year-old Catherine Eskew, also from Sewell, was transported with moderate injuries to Geisinger Wyoming Valley for treatment. Plains EMS assisted first responders at the scene.
State police said the crash remains under investigation and noted that speed too fast for the wet pavement was a contributing factor.
- Time: Approximately 2 p.m. Thursday
- Location: I-476 northbound near mile marker 109.6, Bear Creek Township
- Vehicle: 2022 Chevrolet Equinox
- Driver: Joseph P. Kelly, 62, Sewell, N.J. (deceased)
- Passenger: Catherine Eskew, 68, Sewell, N.J. (injured)
Local and regional implications
Interstate 476 is a heavily traveled corridor that connects northeastern Pennsylvania with points south and west. Collisions on the turnpike can produce extended lane closures and delay emergency services, and when a vehicle ignites after an off-road excursion, the potential for severe injury or death increases dramatically.
This crash underscores the risks posed by wet pavement and excess speed, particularly on rural highway stretches where shoulders and embankments can be steep and vegetation may obscure hazards. Troopers frequently advise drivers to reduce speed and increase following distance in wet conditions to help avoid loss-of-control events.
What motorists should know
Authorities and traffic safety experts generally recommend the following precautions during wet conditions:
- Reduce your speed below posted limits to match road and weather conditions.
- Avoid sudden steering inputs or hard braking that can trigger skids or rollovers.
- Maintain a safe following distance to allow room for braking.
- Ensure tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread depth.
- If you run off the pavement, try to slow gradually and avoid overcorrecting; if your vehicle begins to roll, protect your head and body and brace for impact.
Crash summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date & time | Thursday, around 2 p.m. |
| Highway | I-476 northbound, mile marker 109.6 |
| Driver | Joseph P. Kelly, 62, Sewell, N.J. (deceased) |
| Passenger | Catherine Eskew, 68, Sewell, N.J. (moderate injuries) |
| Vehicle | 2022 Chevrolet Equinox |
| Contributing factor | Speed too fast for wet roadway, per state police |
Ongoing inquiry
Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the sequence of events that led to the crash. Investigators typically examine factors such as skid marks, vehicle damage, witness statements, roadway conditions and any available surveillance or dash-cam footage to piece together what occurred.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Luzerne County PSP barracks handling the case.
This report will be updated as authorities release further information.
Rohan Iyer is the state correspondent for WE NEWS covering New Jersey and regional developments.
