KELLY TOWNSHIP, Union County, Pa., Oct. 10, 2026 — A motorcycle and an SUV collided Thursday afternoon, October 8, at Col. John Kelly Road and Wenner Road in Kelly Township, leaving the motorcycle's rider and a teenage passenger with serious injuries, according to state police.
The crash happened around 4:25 p.m. A 73-year-old Sunbury woman was stopped at a stop sign on Wenner Road in a 2025 Nissan Murano and began turning east onto Col. John Kelly Road, according to the report. Troopers said she did not see a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle heading west, driven by a 34-year-old Lewisburg man.
The motorcycle struck the front driver's side of the Nissan. The rider and his passenger, a 14-year-old girl from Lewisburg, were thrown from the bike, police said. Life Flight took both to Geisinger with what the report describes as serious injuries.
The SUV driver and her passenger, a 9-year-old girl from Danville, were both taken to Geisinger by WellSpan EMS with suspected minor injuries, according to the report.
Police listed failure to yield at a stop sign as the primary violation. Whether charges will be filed has not been determined. Trooper Owen Sabol is investigating.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims.
When Motorcycle Crashes at Intersections Are Most Likely
Intersection crashes involving motorcycles cluster at certain times of day more than people expect. Late afternoon, when the sun sits low and traffic volume climbs as commuters head home, is one of the riskiest windows. A driver pulling out from a stop sign or turning across traffic may glance at a gap in cars and miss a smaller, faster-approaching motorcycle entirely.
Weekends and warmer months add another layer. More riders are on the road in spring and fall, often on routes with minimal traffic signals and low visibility at junctions, where a driver's habit of looking for other cars, not motorcycles, can turn a routine turn into a collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 41 percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes were alcohol-impaired in 2023. That figure points to how timing, visibility, and judgment all shift together once daylight fades or a rider has been drinking, factors that compound whatever risk an intersection already carries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a rider do immediately after a motorcycle crash?
Move to safety if possible, call 911, and avoid removing a helmet from an injured rider unless breathing is blocked. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical check is important since some injuries don't show symptoms right away.
Are intersections a common site for motorcycle crashes?
Yes. Many motorcycle collisions happen when another vehicle turns across a rider's path or pulls out from a stop sign without seeing the motorcycle in time.
Does road surface affect motorcycle safety?
Yes. Gravel, wet pavement, potholes, and painted lane markings all reduce a motorcycle's traction more than they affect a car, making turns and braking riskier for riders.
What gear reduces injury risk for motorcyclists?
A DOT-approved helmet, abrasion-resistant jacket and pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots all help reduce the severity of injuries in a crash.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Kelly Township, PA
If you're involved in or witness a motorcycle crash, start by checking for injuries and calling for emergency help right away. Stay with anyone who is hurt until responders arrive, and avoid moving them unless there's an immediate danger like fire or oncoming traffic.
Once the scene is safe, get checked out by a medical provider even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries from being thrown off a bike take hours to show up. Keep a record of what responders tell you and follow up with your own doctor in the days afterward.
If you're not directly involved, give responders room to work and avoid sharing speculation about how the crash happened. Let the investigating agency gather the facts.
