JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. — Authorities say a 15-year-old driver who was killed in a weekend crash in Juniata County was on a FaceTime call at the time of the incident.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the fatal single-vehicle crash occurred around 12:05 a.m. Sunday on State Route 35 near Hopple Lane in Tuscarora Township.
Investigators said the teen was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed while on a FaceTime call with a friend when the vehicle left the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation. The car reportedly went up a snow-covered embankment and crashed head-on into a tree.
State police said the vehicle, a gold 2009 Toyota RAV4, came to rest with its front end against the tree before catching fire, trapping the driver inside.
Emergency crews responded to the scene, but the teen was pronounced dead at the location. Authorities said it was not immediately known whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Multiple first responders assisted at the scene, including Mifflintown Hose Company No. 1. The roadway was closed for several hours as emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire, clear debris, and allow investigators to process the scene.
“Please keep the family and responders in your prayers,” Mifflintown Hose Company No. 1 said in a Facebook post following the incident.
The identity of the teen, who was reported to be from East Waterford, has not been released by authorities.
Pennsylvania State Police in Lewistown are continuing to investigate the crash. No additional details were included in the initial report, and it remains unclear whether distracted driving played a direct role in the collision.
Officials have not announced whether further information will be released.
