Police vehicle in Schuylkill crash

A police vehicle was involved in a crash along a Schuylkill County roadway. State police at Schuylkill Haven said the crash occurred about 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, along SR61 in New Castle Township.

Troopers said New Castle Township police were dispatched to a report of a disabled vehicle along 61 northbound. Officer Ronald Romanchik Jr., driving a 2009 Dodge Charger of the New Castle police, came upon the disabled vehicle along the right shoulder. Romanchik stopped in the passing lane with emergency lights activated and attempted to cross over to the right shoulder. At this point James Hilbert, 48, of Shenandoah, driving a 1992 Chrysler sedan, was slowing in the passing lane behind the police vehicle. Robert Martin III, 50, of Saint Clair, was northbound in a 1999 Plymouth sedan behind Hilbert. Martin was unable to slow down in time and struck the rear bumper of the Chrysler pushing it into the read portion of the police car.

Romanchik was transported to the Schuylkill Medical Center, Pottsville, for evaluation, troopers said. Martin and his passenger, Laurie Martin, 47, and Hilbert, were all not injured. Damages were minor to the front of the Plymouth and rear of the Dodge and heavy to the front of the Chrysler.

Troopers said Martin was cited for following too closely.