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Jeannette Couple Killed In Rt. 130 Head-On Crash

Fatal Collision Near Level Green Under Investigation

POSTED: 4:09 pm EDT July 2, 2009
UPDATED: 11:29 pm EDT July 2, 2009

A head-on car crash killed a Jeannette couple Thursday afternoon in Penn Township, Westmoreland County.

Video:Watch Jon Greiner's Report

Two vehicles -- a minivan and a sport utility vehicle -- collided on Route 130 in the Level Green area at about 1:30 p.m., not far from a car wash.

"The accident was head-on in nature and it was quickly determined that at least one of the occupants was fatally injured," said Penn Township Police Sgt. John Otto.

The victims have been identified as Daniel, 72, and Ruth, 68, Antoniak, of Jeannette.

Both were inside the van.

"It appears the vehicle traveling eastbound toward Harrison City was the one that crossed the centerline and struck the vehicle traveling westbound," said Otto.

Neighbor Valetta Payne was inside her home when she heard the crash, mistaking it for Fourth of July fireworks.

"Those big fireworks they have -- I just thought it was one of those," said Payne.

But once she got outside, she quickly realized that wasn't the case.

"I started praying for God to have mercy on whoever was involved in it," said Payne.

A third person who was involved in the wreck was taken to a hospital but was not believed to be critically hurt.

The coroner will perform an autopsy to see if there was a medical condition that led to the accident.