2 die in Carroll Township crash

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
A violent two-vehicle crash in Carroll Township early Monday morning claimed the lives of two Mon Valley residents.
Julie Nicholas, 51, of New Eagle and her passenger, William Criswell, 59, of Monongahela, both died Monday afternoon at Pittsburgh trauma centers following the 7 a.m. crash on Route 88, according to Carroll Township Police Chief Paul Brand.
Brand said a vehicle driven by Michael Bloom, 38, of Fayette City was traveling north on Craven Hill near Robert’s Auto Body and the Mon Valley Community Federal Credit Union when he allegedly lost control of his SUV after passing a vehicle.
Bloom’s vehicle then crossed the center line, striking Nicholas’ car.
Carroll Township firefighters had to use hydraulic cutting tools to remove Nicholas and Criswell from the wreckage.
Emergency personnel initially called for medical helicopters to transport them to Pittsburgh hospitals, but were unable to due to poor weather conditions this morning.
Nicholas Criswell were both transported to Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township before being moved to Pittsburgh trauma centers where they later died, Brand said.
Bloom was also transported to MVH for his injuries. He was released later in the day, Brand said.
Brand said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
“Sadly two people lost their lives today as a result of this accident despite the efforts of emergency, fire and ambulance crews and the medical professionals at Mon Valley Hospital,” Brand said. “The investigation will be ongoing and available evidence and witnesses will be utilized to determine the circumstances that resulted in this collision.”
Carroll Township police and firefighters were assisted at the scene by New Eagle firefighters, Charleroi Regional Police, Tri-Community EMS, Mon Valley EMS, Rostraver-West Newton EMS, Allegheny Health System’s medic unit and a state police accident reconstruction unit.
The area was closed to traffic until the scene was cleared around 10:50 a.m. Monday.