A Rush Township man died and Lansford woman was injured during a two-vehicle accident around 5:45 PM today (Friday, October 31, 2014) on Claremont Avenue (SR309), just north of Ben Titus Road, in Still Creek, Rush Township. The impact area appeared to be located near the intersection of Wesner Street.
Rush Township Police identified the fatal victim as Raymond J. Poreca, 76, of Fairview Street in Rush Township. Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky pronounced Poreca at 6:17 PM. Resources online stated that Poreca was once a co-owner of the Kel-Reca Dragstrip and Raceway along Fairview Street in Rush Township and was well known in the community.
Sergeant Duane Frederick said that Poreca exited a gas station parking lot and attempted to cross over two northbound lanes to go southbound on SR309. That is when he was impacted on the drivers side of his vehicle by a 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by Dawn Miller of Lansford. Miller had a 16-year-old female and 4-week-old female infant with her in the Ford. Both of which were not injured.
A Medivac helicopter landed at an open field next to the accident scene to transport Miller to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest.
No charges were said the be filed.
SR309 was closed in the area for the duration and while police investigated. Northbound traffic on SR309 was rerouted east on Ben Titus Road to SR93 north.
Responding were Hometown Fire Company, Rush Township Police, Ryan Township Police, Quakake Fire Company, McAdoo Fire Company, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua Ambulance, AVTS – Hazleton Ambulance, and others.
In addition to this accident, approximately two hours later, emergency responders were called to another two-vehicle accident about two miles south at the entrance to HT Commons Shopping Center. That incident appeared less severe.
Frederick added that today’s fatal accident served as the fourth fatal vehicle accident in the township since August 8.