Accidental Death

(Several names in this release are spelled similarly but are correct)

On 08-04-09 at 8:50 PM, a three vehicle crash occurred on SR 616, North Codorus Twp., one mile north of the Borough of New Salem and one mile south of Rt. 30.  One of the passengers in one of the vehicles died at the scene as the result of injuries sustained in the crash.  The victim’s information is as follows:

Cheree Anne Shontz, DOB 07-22-87, 22 YOA, 1500 blk. of Seven Valleys Rd., (SR 616), Seven Valleys, PA, North Codorus Twp. 

Initial investigation reveals that the victim was a passenger in a Honda Civic driven by her husband, Adrian Shontz, 24 YOA, same address.  Their vehicle was passing another vehicle, a 2000 Chrysler, driven by Lindsey Schatz, 19 York, as both were northbound on SR 616. Both vehicles were in a legal passing zone. The Shontz vehicle attempted to veer to the right and reenter the proper lane of travel in front of the Schatz vehicle.  Instead, the Shontz vehicle collided with this vehicle.  This caused both vehicles to lose control.  The Schatz vehicle ran off of the roadway and the Shontz vehicle slid sideways into the opposite lane of travel.  At this point, a southbound vehicle, a 2005 Chev,  driven by Samantha Wild, 18 YOA, Hanover, collided head-on with the passenger side of the Shontz vehicle.   

Adrian Shontz, Samantha Wild, and her passenger, Melody Ruggerio, 20 Yoa, New Salem, were taken to York Hospital by ambulance for treatment.   As of the time of this release, Mr. Shontz is still being treated for serious injuries.  Both Wild and Ruggerio were treated and released.   

The investigation is in the beginning stages.  No information on any possible charges is available at this point.  Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Sgt. Lisa Layden, at 717-225-1333, ext. 115.