11 Killed In PA Crashes Over July 4 Weekend: State Police

PENNSYLVANIA — Eleven people were killed in crashes over the Independence Day weekend in Pennsylvania, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

State police released data Tuesday on their annual Independence Day weekend enforcement detail, which aimed to strengthen roadway safety across the state.

In total, Pennsylvania State Police handled 774 crashes from July 3 to July 7. That figure is up from 2023, which saw 668 crashes.

Two hundred forty-four people were hurt and 11 were killed in those crashes.

Details on the fatal crashes are as follows:

• July 6, Nether Providence Township, Delaware County — Kevin Comber, 27
• July 6, Warren Township, Bradford County — Nicholas Byrne, 30
• July 7, Milton Township, Northumberland County — Richard Heath
• July 6, Reading, Berks County — Kathleen McFadden, 65
• July 3, Jackson Township, Columbia County — 22-year-old male; homicide by motor vehicle while DUI and related charges filed against Craig Evans
• July 6, Drumore Township, Lancaster County — Kristy Larson, 42
• July 6, Antrim Township, Franklin County — Mark Cramer Jr., 33
• July 4, Tyrone Township, Adams County — Fuji Smith, 96
• July 5, Union Township, Berks County — No details on decedent
• July 4, Slocum Township, Luzerne County — No details on decedent

Police said intoxicated driving was a factor in 64 of the 774 crashes.

Authorities reported four DUI related fatal crashes over the holiday period.

Additionally, state police arrested 556 people for DUI over the same period.

There were also 7,975 speeding citations, 225 child seat citations, 876 seat belt citations, and 19,353 other citations issued from July 3 to July 7.