South Union accident sends six people to area hospitals
A Uniontown woman was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital after a two-vehicle collision around 2:30 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Bailey Lane and O’Connell Avenue in South Union Township. State police said Sheila Nicklow, 40, of Uniontown was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries she suffered in the crash. She was listed in serious condition Monday night, a hospital supervisor said.
Police identified the other driver as Robert Stark, 28, of Uniontown.
Police said all others, including Stark and two of his passengers – Chad Landman, 31, and a 3-year-old girl – and Nicklow’s passengers – Peggy Shaffer, 59, and a 14-year-old girl – were treated at Uniontown Hospital for minor injuries. Stark’s other passenger, Tina Price, 27, sustained moderate injuries to her head and neck and was treated at Uniontown Hospital, police said.
The crash caused minor damage to Nicklow’s truck and major damage to Stark’s car. The impact of the collision caused Stark’s vehicle to careen off an embankment, nearly missing a gas pipe, and roll down a small hill into Redstone Creek.
Firefighters from South Union Volunteer Fire Department said it took about 15 minutes to get Stark and his passengers out of the vehicle.
All involved in the accident wore seatbelts, police noted.
Isabelle Oliastro of Farmview Circle, who witnessed the accident, said she was stopped at the intersection when the collision occurred.
“I had a bird’s-eye view. I don’t know how my car didn’t get hit,” she said. “After they hit, I looked in my mirror and I didn’t see the car. I only saw the truck, so I thought the people in the car had driven away. But then I heard someone say the car was in the creek, and, sure enough, it was.”
Oliastro said this is the second accident she has witnessed at this intersection.
“I’m not coming this way anymore,” she said.
Crews from American Ambulance also responded.