HOMETOWN — Rush Township police said Monday they are continuing their investigation into two head-on crashes that occurred in the same area of Route 309 on Saturday.
About 12:30 a.m. Saturday, police said, Jarih Martinez Fermin, 23, of Summit Hill, was driving a 2014 Subaru Forester south when he crossed over the median just north of the intersection with Main Street and collided head-on with a northbound 1999 Ford F-350 van driven by John Kurtz, 61, of East Fallowfield, Chester County.
Nine passengers in the van driven by Kurtz were being taken to a doctor’s office in Hazleton when the crash occurred, police said.
Fermin and six passengers in the van were flown to trauma centers by helicopter, while Kurtz and three other passengers suffered minor injuries. The names of those riding in the van were not available Monday as the investigation is ongoing, police said.
Police said they suspect DUI may have been a contributing factor to the crash and that charges against Fermin are pending.
Hours later, about 10:50 p.m., another possible DUI crash occurred at Route 309 and Main Street, police said.
Police said Edward Farley, 47, of Sugarloaf, was driving a 2011 Ford Taurus on East Main Street when he approached the fork at the intersection with Route 309. Farley crossed over the double yellow line, traveled north in the southbound ramp and entered Route 309 still traveling north in the southbound lane. His car collided head-on with a 2004 Nissan driven by Gabrielle Lech, 24, of New Ringgold, police said.
Police said Lech was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries and Farley, who showed signs of being intoxicated, was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for a blood alcohol test.
Police said charges of DUI are pending against Farley when the results of the blood test are received.
