Accident victim remains critical
A McClellandtown woman whose vehicle was involved in a collision with a garbage truck on Route 21 in German Township Wednesday remains in critical condition. Police stated in a news release Thursday that Sandra Vrabel, 54, sustained major injuries in the accident, and was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. A hospital spokeswoman said Thursday that Vrable is in critical condition.
The Jeep Cherokee Vrabel was driving and a garbage truck driven by Elmer Mosako, 27, of Fairchance, collided around 11:25 a.m. at Route 21 and Puritan Road, police said.
Police did not indicate what caused the crash.
The garbage truck is owned by Onyx Waste Services of McClellandtown. The company could not be reached for comment.
Sgt. James Caccimelio said the investigation is continuing, but indicated there was no sign that drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
Firefighters worked for more than an hour to free Vrable from the wreckage, according to McClellandtown Fire Chief Jim “Bob” Huhn.
Vrabel’s vehicle sustained severe front-end damage, causing Vrable to be pinned inside.
Huhn said firemen used “every trick in the book” to free Vrable because her feet were wrapped up in the wreckage.
The accident necessitated that traffic be detoured for more than two hours, Huhn said.
Numerous volunteer fire companies responded to the scene.