Cyclist injured in Schuylkill crash

A Columbia County motorcyclist was injured when he attempted to pass two other vehicles by traveling between them. State police at Frackville said the crash occurred about 7:10 a.m. on Friday, April 30, along SR61, two-tenths of a mile south of the off ramp to the Schuylkill Mall, in Blythe Township, Schuylkill County.

Troopers said Daniel J. Werner, 31, of Bloomsburg, was driving a 2008 Zuzuki bike southbound and attempted to pass a tractor trailer rig, driven in the right lane by Walter J. Oakman, 50, of Eddington, Bucks County, and a 2003 Toyota Corolla driven by Steen G. Esler, 33, of St. Clair, who was passing the rig in the left lane.

Werner tried to pass between the two vehicles when his bike struck the rear driver side tire of the trailer portion of Oakman's rig, then the bike struck the Toyota on the passenger side.

Werner was thrown from the bike and came to rest on the right shoulder while the bike landed on the left shoulder. The other two drivers stopped along the right berm.

Werner was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of what troopers called major injuries. Esler sustained a minor injury in the crash and Oakman was not injured.

Troopers said Werner was cited for careless driving.