Two separate car accidents in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania injured three people and caused two fatalities. The injured victims remain hospitalized as of November 17.

The first crash occurred on Route 22, as one driver headed east around 4:30 PM on an otherwise peaceful afternoon. The other driver, a 39-year old woman, for reasons as yet unexplained, turned in front of the eastbound auto. The female driver died at the scene, pronounced dead by the county Deputy Coroner.

A 23-year old male passenger in the eastbound vehicle was listed in fair condition after transport to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. The 25-year old driver, of Derry, was also reported to be in fair condition at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Oakland.

Later that day, around 6:00 PM, another fatal car accident took place on Route 130 in Unity. A 20-year old Greensburg female passenger was listed in good condition, also at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. The 25-year old driver, also a woman, from Indiana County, Armstrong Township, was not as fortunate. The driver was pronounced dead by the coroner's office at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.

According to state police, the deceased driver's auto, turning onto Route 130 from Pleasant Unity-Mutual Road, crossed in front of a pickup truck driven by a 48-year old male, of Mt. Pleasant. Fortunately, the pickup driver was treated at and released by Excela Health Latrobe Hospital.

The Westmoreland County Coroner's Office reported that both female decedents suffered blunt force injuries to the head, neck, abdomen and thorax. The circumstances and results of both car accidents and causes of death are eerily similar.

Are you always careful when making turns to avoid crossing in front of oncoming vehicles? Is it sometimes difficult to judge the rate of speed or the distance away from you when you see oncoming vehicles during left turns?

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "3 remain in hospitals after 2 separate fatalities," Bob Stiles, Nov. 17, 2012