Danville, PA (June 18, 2026) – Two people were killed in a three-vehicle collision on Route 45 outside Danville on Tuesday, June 16. According to state police, the crash happened around 3:55 p.m. when 75-year-old Thomas Berkheimer of the Lewisburg area attempted to pass another vehicle while traveling eastbound in a no-passing zone.
Investigators said Berkheimer’s car struck a westbound vehicle driven by Deborah A. Magruder, 52, of Mifflinburg. Magruder’s vehicle then made contact with a vehicle operated by Richard F. Baker Jr., 57, of Danville, which Berkheimer had been trying to pass.
Thomas Berkheimer was pronounced dead at the roadside. Joyce Berkheimer, 74, also of the Lewisburg area, later died in the emergency department at Geisinger Medical Center. Police said neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time.
Magruder was taken to Geisinger with a suspected minor injury. Baker was not hurt. The Montour County coroner’s office identified Thomas and Joyce Berkheimer as the two people who lost their lives following the collision.
Police continue to examine the circumstances that led to the three-vehicle crash.
Our deepest sympathies are with the Berkheimer family and all those mourning this loss.
Why No-Passing Zones Are Marked on Rural Highways
No-passing zones are established in places where visibility is limited or roadway conditions make overtaking another vehicle unsafe. These sections are often marked by solid center lines and warning signs that indicate drivers should remain in their lane.
On two-lane highways, passing maneuvers require enough distance to safely clear slower traffic and return to the correct lane before encountering oncoming vehicles. Curves, hills, intersections, and other visibility restrictions can reduce the time available to complete that movement safely.
Traffic safety studies frequently show that crossing into opposing lanes where sight distance is limited increases the risk of head-on and multi-vehicle crashes. Road markings and signage are designed to help drivers recognize these hazards before they become dangerous. Following no-passing restrictions can reduce the likelihood of severe injuries and fatalities on rural roads where traffic usually travels at higher speeds.
