Schuylkill crash

A Schuylkill County driver is facing charges following a one-vehicle crash that occurred about 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5, along SR61 at the "Penske Curve" in North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Laura L. Whitley, 45, of Second Mountain Rd., Pottsville, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt southbound at a high rate of speed when she lost control while negotiating a left-hand curve. The car went onto the shoulder where it impacted with the guide rail.

After that impact the car continued south for about 337 feet along the curb and across the parking lot of Penske Rentals before the front end struck a utility pole.

After that impact the car became airborne and traveled over an embankment striking numerous trees before dropping to the ground and coming to rest facing southwest on its' passenger side.

Whitley was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue personnel. She was transported to the Schuylkill Medical Center South, Pottsville, for treatment of injuries. Damages were severe to the vehicle.

Troopers said Whitley will have charges filed against her but did not specify what that would be. The right lane of the road was shutdown for several hours due to the crash.