Susan Spangler, Deloris Latshaw Obituary, Death: PSP Identifies Victims in Fatal Rockwood Train-SUV Collision
Susan Spangler, Deloris Latshaw Obituary, Death – State police have released the names of the two women who lost their lives in a tragic train and SUV crash that occurred Thursday morning in Rockwood Borough. The victims wee identified as 67-year-old Susan Spangler and 85-year-old Deloris Latshaw, both residents of Somerset.
The deadly incident took place near the Bridge Street railroad crossing, where the SUV they were in collided with a CSX freight train. Emergency services were alerted and responded to the scene shortly before 10:30 a.m., according to the official crash report.
Authorities stated that one of the women was declared dead at the scene of the accident. The other victim was transported to Conemaugh Hospital for emergency medical treatment but later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital’s emergency room.
The investigation by state troopers revealed that the SUV was moving across the railroad tracks at the time of the collision. Investigators emphasized that all safety measures at the crossing, including warning lights and signals, were functioning correctly at the time of the incident. Despite the violent impact, officials confirmed that no members of the CSX train crew sustained any injuries.
At this stage, police have not released information on which of the two women was behind the wheel when the crash occurred. That detail remains under investigation.
Somerset County Coroner Cullen Swank confirmed that autopsies for both victims have been scheduled for Friday to further determine the exact cause of death and assist with the ongoing investigation.
The fatal crash has left the local community shaken, with Rockwood Borough residents mourning the sudden and tragic loss of two local women. While the full circumstances leading to the collision remain under review, authorities continue to gather evidence and analyze the details of the accident.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers that can arise at railroad crossings, even when safety equipment is operational. Investigators are working diligently to piece together the events that led to the crash and to determine whether any additional factors may have contributed.
No further details have been released at this time, and the investigation remains active. Law enforcement and transportation safety officials are expected to continue their work in the coming days to understand how and why the crash happened.
