5 Mt. Pleasant high school students, 1 recent graduate hurt in 2-vehicle crash

The day after five Mt. Pleasant Area High School students and a recent graduate were injured in a two-vehicle, head-on crash, Superintendent Timothy Gabauer on Tuesday said district officials met with four students who remained hospitalized.

“They are all in good spirits and extremely concerned about one another,” Gabauer said. “A few of them will have a long road to full recovery.”

State police said the crash happened at 5:30 p.m. Monday on Claypike Road in Mt. Pleasant Township when the driver of a pickup traveling east lost control around a bend in the road. The pickup slammed into the front of another pickup headed westbound, police said. Both drivers and four passengers were hospitalized.

The crash closed part of Claypike Road called Snake Hill near Ankey Hill Road and Sheriffs Lane, not far from Stone Villa Wine Cellars.

Troopers did not identify those involved in the crash or say how many people were traveling in each pickup.

Of the five current students, two are sophomores, one is a junior and two are seniors, Gabauer said.

Four people were flown by helicopter to Pittsburgh hospitals, Kecksburg fire Chief Adam Krozel said.

When officials arrived on scene, they found one vehicle on fire but it was quickly extinguished, a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher said.

Carin Scherer, who lives along Claypike Road near the crash scene, said she rescued a 6-week-old puppy that was involved and rushed it to Cheat Lake Animal Hospital in Morgantown. The puppy died from its injuries, she said.

“Everything just happened so fast,” Scherer said. “I can’t even explain it. It was just so tragic for me seeing all those kids. They were all young. (I was) trying to call 911 and calling my husband on the other line to try and find the fire extinguisher. It was so chaotic. Lots of people stopped.”

Scherer said she hopes to deliver a memorial provided by the animal hospital to a girl involved in the crash. She added the $1,000 raised via a Facebook fundraiser will go toward the veterinarian bill.

“I’d like for her to have it, because that’s all she was worried about was her dog,” Scherer said.

Gabauer said Monday night, “Our entire community prays together for a full recovery of everyone involved. The district’s crisis teams will be available (Tuesday) morning to assist other members of our MP family as we continue thinking of our friends.”