Congress Hill Accident Claims Life of a Second Juvenile

LECONTES MILLS – A 17-year-old boy died Sunday as a result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of state Route 879 and Congress Hill Road in Girard Township, the Clearfield State Police reported. His name was not released by police.

Clearfield County Coroner R. Joel Heath pronounced Leanna Shugarts, 17, of Frenchville, dead at the scene.

According to the report, the accident occurred when the car entered SR 879 from the intersection of Congress Hill Road and subsequently drove into the path of a tractor-trailer driven by Paul Brown Jr., of Port Matilda.

Brown could not bring his tractor-trailer to a stop and struck the car, which came to a rest along the northbound berm of SR 879. The tractor-trailer then rolled onto its driver’s side and blocked both lanes of traffic.

Both passengers were flown from the scene to the Altoona Regional Health System Trauma Center, where a girl still remains in serious condition.

Brown suffered minor injuries in the accident.

Police were assisted at the scene by PennDOT, Clearfield Emergency Medical Services, Lawrence Township, Clearfield, BJW, Goshen and Lecontes Mills Fire Companies.

The accident is still under investigation.