Police: Speed Likely Caused Crash That Killed 3 People On Ridge Pike In Plymouth Township
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) - Police in Montgomery County say speed likely caused a deadly overnight crash in Plymouth Township. Three people were killed in the two-vehicle crash that happened around 11:50 p.m. Thursday at the corner of Ridge Pike and Colwell Lane.
A fourth person was taken to Temple University Hospital in critical condition.
The intersection was shut down for about six hours as police conducted their investigation.
Police say a Honda Pilot SUV failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the median and crashed head-on into a minivan. The minivan's driver was trapped inside and pronounced dead at the scene.
The SUV driver was also trapped and died at the scene. A passenger of the SUV was ejected and also pronounced dead.
"Unfortunately, it was a horrific accident, that's exactly how I described it when I saw it," Plymouth Township Police Chief John Myrsiades said. "We've seen a lot of crashes over our career and this one was particularly bad, especially the vehicle that was impacted by the van."
Police say the SUV was registered in New Jersey.
They say there's no indication of drugs or alcohol but it was raining at the time and police believe the SUV was speeding.
"It was impact at full speed," Myrsiades said. "It does not appear at this time that any brakes were used or anything to slow down.
People familiar with the area call this a very busy and dangerous intersection.
"It is a confusing intersection for people," a resident said. "I guess as a local resident, growing up around here, it's hard for me to identify with. Constantly people making u-turns, right here, to get to Chemical Road when there is... a left hand turning lane. It is a five-way intersection to get to any street around here. So it is kind of, you know, that's the number one thing you hear is cars skidding because of someone making a u-turn in the middle of the street."
The speed limit on the road is 35 mph.
The roads reopened around 6 a.m.
The victims have not been identified.
CBS3's Crystal Cranmore and Howard Monroe contributed to this report.
