HEIDLERSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
One of the trucks that crashed during a Make A Wish Foundation convoy in Adams County had no seatbelts for three of its passengers, state police said Monday.
Trooper Tom Pinkerton said two young passengers of a Snyder's of Hanover truck were seated in lawn chairs during the Sunday afternoon procession on Route 15 North.
"There was a juvenile that was seated in a lawn chair, and behind that juvenile there was another juvenile that was seated in a lawn chair," said Pinkerton.
Police have said the driver of the Snyder's of Hanover truck did not see that the convoy had suddenly stopped for an unknown reason near Heidlersburg. Three people were thrown through the windshield of the truck when it rear-ended another truck in front of it.
"Once they got ejected onto the highway, we believe that least two of them were run over by the vehicle because the vehicle still had momentum forward," said Pinkerton.
Police said there were only two seats with belts in the Snyder's truck, and only the driver was buckled.
Officials also revealed that the convoy of about 149 vehicles did not have a permit for the procession.
"If you are going to be doing something, such as the Make A Wish Foundation convoy, that is going to have any disruption to traffic on our state highways, you are required to get a permit," said PennDOT spokeswoman Fritzi Schreffler.
Five people were injured as a result of the four-vehicle, chain-reaction crash. Police said the driver of the Snyder's of Hanover truck, 33-year-old Tammy Freeman, and a passenger, 33-year-old Catherine Wagaman, were flown to Penn State Hershey Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries, police said. Two unidentified 14-year-old passengers were taken by ambulance to Gettysburg Hospital for serious injuries, while a nine-year-old passenger was uninjured.
A passenger in the second vehicle, 35-year-old Christina Hess, was taken to Gettysburg Hospital for head and hand injuries.
Two Rutter's vehicles were involved in the crash, but company president Scott Hartman said none of his employees were injured.
"It's supposed to be a fun day for the children and for the families, and an opportunity for them to leave some of their challenges and troubles behind," Hartman said. "And, unfortunately, out of it came a very sad situation."
Snyder's-Lance issued a statement in which the company said it is "deeply saddened to see a wonderful and worthwhile event end in such tragedy."
The Make A Wish Foundation said in a statement that it "extends its sincere best wishes to those individuals who were hurt" and to their families. The foundation said that no Wish children or Wish families were injured, but their hearts go out to those that were. The statement said that the organization is hopeful for a rapid and complete recovery for everyone involved.
