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ELIMSPORT -- Two men were hospitalized with critical injuries they suffered late Saturday night when their 2004 Mazda 3 went off the road and crashed head-on into a tree on Route 44 as they were being pursued by Tiadaghton Valley Regional police, according to state police Cpl. Matthew Brown, the lead investigator in the crash.
The identities of the two were expected to be released later today, Brown said. Both men were in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Brown said Sunday afternoon.
"Speed was a factor in the crash," which happened about 11:40 p.m. near the Limestone-Washington Township line, Brown said.
It was estimated that the length of the pursuit, which began near Jersey Shore, was close to 12 miles, according to emergency officials.
"The driver was traveling south on Route 44 when he lost control of the car, which went off the right side of the road crashed into the tree, Brown said. The crash occurred about three miles north of here.
Tiadaghton Valley Regional police were pursuing the car and attempting to get it stopped due to equipment and traffic violations, Brown said. The taillights were not working at all and the registration did not match the car, he added.
Upon being extricated from the wreckage, the 26-year-old old Jersey Shore area driver was taken to Geisinger by a Clinton Township ambulance while the 28-year-old South Williamsport passenger was flown to the trauma center in a helicopter that landed at the firehouse here.
Drug paraphernalia was found in the car, Brown said.
State police spent all night at the scene, taking pictures and recording measurements. An accident reconstructionist also there. Elimsport firefighters provided necessary lighting.