PENN TOWNSHIP, PA – On Tuesday, Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department (NLCRPD) responded to a multi-vehicle accident on SR322 near the Lebanon County line at 2:22 p.m.
The crash resulted in the death of Bethany Welch of Palmyra, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles.
Initial investigation revealed that Gavin M. Kline of Palmyra was driving a 2016 Kia Optima and attempted to pass a 2016 Volvo tractor-trailer. He entered the opposing lane and collided head-on with a 2022 Ford Transit van driven by Matthew Carl of Shillington.
Both Kline and Carl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Preliminary evidence suggests that Welch was not wearing a seatbelt and that Kline may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash. Both drivers and the operator of the tractor-trailer submitted to drug and alcohol testing. The NLCRPD and the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office are leading the ongoing investigation, and they asked anyone with information to contact them.