Two Route 8 Crashes in Erie County Under Investigation

The Pennsylvania State Police in Corry are investigating two separate crashes along Route 8 in Erie County.

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The first crash occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. on April 4 at the intersection of Route 8 and Arbuckle Road in Amity Township.

According to investigators, Ryan Staten, 37, of Pittsburgh, was driving a Kia Forte northbound on Route 8 when his vehicle was struck in a collision involving another vehicle traveling from Arbuckle Road. Police say Staten’s vehicle was properly restrained at the time of the crash.

Passengers in Staten’s vehicle, including Kobe Franklin, 18, of Erie, and Leah Young, 18, of Waterford, sustained suspected minor injuries and were transported for medical evaluation. Additional occupants, including David Lewis, 27, of Union City, and passenger MadeLynn Bengel, 24, of Waterford, were not injured.

Authorities say Lewis was identified as the driver of the second vehicle involved. He was not injured and was using seatbelts at the time of the crash. Police have listed the incident under suspected DUI-related unsafe driving (3802A1) as the investigation continues.

Emergency crews from Union City Volunteer Fire Department and EmergyCare responded to the scene, and vehicles sustained disabling front-end damage.

A second crash occurred just after midnight on April 16 at approximately 12:37 a.m. in Union Township.

Troopers report that Madison Wander, 21, of Spartansburg, was traveling northbound in a 2021 Buick Encore when she lost control on a curve in the roadway. The vehicle left the east side of Route 8, struck a ditch, then collided with a utility pole before coming to rest facing south off the roadway.

Police say Wander and her passenger, Daniel R. Blackmond, 22, of Erie, fled the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. Neither occupant was reported injured.

Wander has been charged with Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic (3301A). The crash remains under investigation by PSP Corry.