HARMONY (KDKA) — A tight-knit Butler County community is mourning following a tragic accident along an icy road late Wednesday morning that claimed the lives of two young brothers.

“You just never know, just never know,” said Jonathan Hinkson, a local resident. “At times like these, you try to pull together, be supportive.”

Hinkson manages the Buy ‘N Fly mini mart in Harmony. He says one of his customers is the father of those killed.

“He comes in here quite often and it just breaks our heart,” Hinkson said.

State police say the accident happened on Lower Harmony Road, commonly referred to as Whitestown Road by those in Connoquenessing Township.

Elizabeth McCullough, 32, and her two sons, 3-year-old Liam Bintrim, and his brother, Declan McCullough, who would have turned 1-year-old on Friday, were in the car just after 10 a.m. when the road suddenly became a sheet of ice from rain.

McCullough couldn’t stop – her SUV sliding off the right side of the road.

“When she hit the embankment, it caused the car to roll up to the left which impacted the tree in the worst spot on the roof that it could possibly hit,” said Lt. Eric Hermik, of Pennsylvania State Police.

The tree crushed the portion above the little boys, killing them instantly.

Russelle Nuzzo who lives close to Whites Town Road and was caught in the dangerous conditions herself feels awful.

“I have a car full of kids right now, so it’s very sad,” said Nuzzo. “It’s just an unfortunate accident.”

RELATED LINKS:
2 Children Dead After Mom’s Car Slides On Ice Patch (1/9/13)
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