Schuylkill crashes

State police at Frackville reported on several crashes investigated by troopers along Schuylkill County roadways.

A one-vehicle crash was reported at 10:08 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 14, along SR61 in Blythe Township. Troopers said Roberta E. Padgett, 25, of Mahanoy City, was driving a 1993 Dodge Dynasty northbound in an area known as "deadman's curve" when she failed to negotiate a slight left curve. The car traveled into the right lane as Padgett was distracted because she was using a cell phone at the time, troopers said.

The car went onto the berm where the front passenger side fender and wheel struck a rock embankment. The car traveled back onto the road and across both lanes of travel and came to rest on the left shoulder.

Padgett was not injured. She was cited for careless driving and drivers required to be licensed.

Troopers probed another one-vehicle crash about 12:05 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, along James St., just north of SR209, in Blythe Township. Troopers said Elizabeth V. Walburn, 27, of Nags Head, N.C., was driving a 2005 Ford Freestar in the village of Kaska when she swerved to avoid striking a deer. The car went off the road and struck a dirt/rock embankment which caused the vehicle to overturn coming to rest on its wheels.

Walburn was injured and taken to the Schuylkill Medical Center-E. Norwegian St., Pottsville, for treatment.

A one-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Chapel Rd. and First St., in Oneida, East Union Township, about 7:15 p.m. on Saturday. Troopers said Michael Kelchner, 26, of Drums, Luzerne County, was driving a 1997 Dodge Intrepid westbound on Chapel and failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection. His vehicle traveled through the intersection and onto the property at 126 First St. It traveled through the lawn area and hit a garage head-on.

Kelchner was not injured with damages heavy to the front end of the vehicle, which had to be towed. The garage also sustained heavy damages, troopers said.

Troopers are investigating a hit-and-run accident that occurred sometime between 1 p.m. on Jan. 12 and 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, at 206 Valley St., in Brockton, Schuylkill Township. Troopers said a parked 1996 Subaru Outback station wagon was struck on the left rear door by another vehicle whose driver fled the scene. Damages were minor to the Outback. The owner of the Outback was not identified by troopers.