Watch CBS News

Street Racing Likely Led To Fatal Indiana Co. Crash

CONEMAUGH (KDKA) -- Investigators say street racing is likely the cause of a fatal crash in Indiana County.

State police say a 1969 Camaro was trying to pass a Corvette Saturday night when it collided head-on with a Hyundai Elantra.

This happened just before 9:30 p.m. on Route 286 in Conemaugh.

The driver of the Camaro, 45-year-old Gerald Halldin, Jr., of Blairsville, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Corvette never stopped.

Police believe the two sports cars were racing, each traveling at a high rate of speed.

"These were performance cars," State Trooper John Matchik said. "There were some modifications done to them. They were enhanced, supped up and so forth, made to travel at higher speeds."

The driver of the Hyundai, 18-year-old Melinda Miller and her 23-year-old passenger, Manas Troyer, were both rushed to a Pittsburgh hospital with critical injuries.

State police are now asking for help from the community to identify the driver of the other car involved.

"If we can determine and ascertain in fact there was a race that was taking place at the time of the crash, that other driver of the other vehicle that fled the scene would surely be facing possible charges," Matchik said.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Indiana County News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.