Falls Creek woman killed in Thursday-morning crash on Route 153

March 1, 2013

HORTON TWP. – The Ridgway-based state police reported responding to a two-vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality at 10:47 a.m. on Thursday on State Route 153, 246 feet south of an unnamed street in Horton Township.

Desiree M. Smith, 26, of Falls Creek, was killed as a result of the crash.

According to police, the collision occurred as a 2000 Mazda 626 operated by Deidre M. Butler, 25, of Brockway was traveling north on State Route 153, and a 2011 Subaru Outback operated by Linda C. Jensen, 61, of Warren, was traveling south on Route 153.

Butler's Mazda entered the southbound lane of Route 153, its front end struck the guiderail on the west side of the roadway, and the vehicle went into the path of Jensen's Subaru.

The Subaru's front end struck the rear passenger side of the Mazda, and Butler was ejected from the vehicle while her passenger, Smith, was partially ejected.

Both Jensen and Smith were wearing seatbelts, while Butler was not.

Butler and Jensen were transported to the DuBois Regional Medical Center, police reported. Butler was then transported to Altoona Hospital.

Butler reportedly sustained major injuries, while Jensen sustained minor injuries.

Smith succumbed to injuries suffered in the crash, police said.