Passenger dies after Moravia Street crash

A Union Township woman died Monday morning after the car she was riding in was involved in a traffic accident.

Viola Mae Antonelli, 82, of 505 Grandview Ave., was a back seat passenger in a white Toyota Corolla driven by Mary Jo Antonelli, 43, of 317 E. Englewood Ave., who police said is her granddaughter. Following the crash, Viola Antonelli was taken to Jameson Hospital, then flown to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh where she was pronounced dead at 11:07 a.m.

New Castle police said the younger Antonelli was southbound on Moravia Street about 8 a.m. when she passed a car stopped on Moravia Street and was hit by a small, white pickup truck. Police said the truck, driven by James B. Knight, 17, of 807 Old Ash Road, Volant, had pulled from the business office of Central Heating and Plumbing at 925 Moravia St. and was crossing Moravia Street to the company’s warehouse. Officers said the truck is owned by Central Heating.

Police said the car stopped on Moravia Street, about to turn into the Central Heating parking lot. Officers did not have the name of that driver. According to police, Antonelli had passed the stopped car on the right.

New Castle police and firefighters said the truck had “clipped” the left rear fender of Antonelli’s car, causing it to spin out of control and strike a New Castle Area Transit Authority bus driven by Rocco F. Fazio, 49. Police said the bus was northbound on Moravia Street at the time of the accident and carried no passengers.

Police said Antonelli and her front seat passenger, Patrick Antonelli, 34, also of 317 E. Englewood Ave., reported moderate injuries. They were treated at Jameson Hospital and released. Police said they are brother and sister. Police said Knight reported no injuries and his vehicle sustained only minor damage. Police said all occupants of both vehicles wore seat belts, and airbags were deployed in Antonelli’s car.

Cpl. Chris Fabian of the traffic department said police are continuing to investigate the accident. He said both drivers appear to share some responsibility. He said Knight faces charges of proceeding with no clearance after coming to a stop and Antonelli faces charges of passing in a no-passing zone.

He said he does not know at this time if additional charges will be filed.

Police were assisted by the New Castle Fire Department and Lawrence County Sheriff’s office, which directed traffic. The street was closed for about an hour.