STRONG - Two elderly cousins being driven by a relative to a hospital for a routine health checkup Monday were killed in a violent head-on collision.
Charles D. Carl, 92, and Roland E. Matejick, 76, both of Gordon, were each pronounced dead at the scene of the 12:15 p.m. crash by James R. Gotlob, chief deputy coroner for Northumberland County.
They were being driven to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, by Tina Alexander, 40, of Gordon. She was transported to Geisinger by Elysburg Ambulance after the crash and was listed in fair condition by a hospital nursing supervisor Monday night.
Police said Alexander is a granddaughter of Carl and a niece of Matejick.
The second driver, Glenn Meredith, 52, of Mount Carmel, was treated by AREA Services paramedics and flown at 1:15 p.m. by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger, where he was in critical condition Monday night.
Mount Carmel Township police Chief Brian Hollenbush said his department is treating the investigation into the crash as a criminal matter and are looking into whether alcohol played a role.
Witnesses told police that Meredith's vehicle, a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup, was swerving in and out of its eastbound lane. It crossed the double-yellow line and drove into the westbound passing lane, where it collided with Alexander's 2004 GMC Envoy.
Both vehicles came to rest sideways in the eastbound lane. Neither driver attempted to brake or take evasive action, police said, adding that the road was dry at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred about a half-mile uphill on Natalie Mountain, between SOS Metals and Turkey Hill Minit Market, from the intersection of routes 61 and 54. Route 54 was closed between Route 61 and Marion Heights Road and didn't reopen until shortly before 4:30 p.m.
Carl, the front-seat passenger, was wearing a seat belt, while Matejick and Alexander were not, police said.
Hollenbush and Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell are investigating the crash. They were assisted at the scene by fellow officers from their department along with police from Mount Carmel Borough, Kulpmont, Coal Township and Shamokin.
Responding to the scene were volunteer firefighters from Atlas, Kulpmont, Marion Heights, Natalie and Strong, along with fire police volunteers.
