Woman, 82, Killed In Falls Twp. Crash

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — An 82-year-old woman was killed Friday night when the mini-van she was riding in hit a pole and caught fire in Falls Township, according to police.

Two other occupants of the mini-van, both of them in their 80s, were taken to the hospital with severe burns, police said.

Falls Township Police officers were called at 8:23 p.m. to the area of the Commons at Fallsington apartment complex. When they arrived, they found a 2007 Honda mini-van engulfed in flames at the intersection of Woolston Drive and West Trenton Avenue.

They found the driver, Fred Pileggi, 82, of Croydon, and two other passengers. Fred Pileggi had suffered burns to his upper body and was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, then Temple University Hospital, for treatment.

Passenger Patricia Moldovan, 82, of Bristol, was flown to Temple with burns over 80 percent of her body. She was listed in critical condition Saturday morning.

A third passenger, Angela Stanton, 80, of Bristol, was not injured and was released at the scene.

Police later determined that Rita Pileggi, 82, also of Croydon, had been trapped inside the burning mini-van. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Units from Falls Township and Morrisville fire departments responded and put out the fire.

According to police, initial investigation showed the group was leaving the Elk's Lodge in Morrisville. The Honda was going southbound on Lincoln Highway toward Woolston Drive and, as it passed through the intersection, it struck the center median and a traffic sign.

It caught fire then continued down Woolston Drive, leaving a trail of fuel behind. It eventually came to a stop at the intersection with Makefield Road.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Officer Jeff Rhodunda at 215-949-9100, Ext. 442, or j.rhodunda@fallstwp.com.