Route 157 in Cranberry Township was the scene of a triple fatality car accident in early August. While Pennsylvania has enjoyed a trend of decreasing highway fatalities in recent years, authorities hope this crash will not be repeated. This tragic car accident occurred shortly after 6:00 in the evening in Venango County.

Traveling west on Route 157, a 25-year-old driver lost control of his sedan, crossing into oncoming traffic. A large SUV, traveling east, could not avoid the out-of-control sedan and rammed the auto. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the crash scene.

An SUV passenger, a 51-year old woman, was seriously injured in the tragic accident. After being taken to a local hospital, she later died from her injuries.

Pennsylvania state police indicated that none of the three victims were wearing seat belts. Although police investigators believe excessive speed was a factor in the auto driver's loss of control, no details have, as yet, been determined. It appears that both side wheels on the passenger side of the auto left the roadway. In the process of trying to stabilize the car, the driver lost control of the vehicle.

As often happens, passengers in cars, trucks and SUVs seem to face enormous risk of serious injury, along with the drivers involved in crashes. Drivers are urged to practice safe, defensive driving to minimize car accident injuries and fatalities in Pennsylvania.

Both drivers were Oil City residents, although the residence of the deceased passenger has not been released. If speed was indeed a factor in this crash, it should have been an avoidable tragedy.

Do you practice defensive driving consistently? Should you pay more attention to your speed and driving conditions when you're behind the wheel?

Source: KDKA, "3 Killed In Venango County Crash," Aug. 5, 2012