SOUTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP, Dauphin County, Pa., Sept. 29, 2026 — One person died Sunday evening, September 27, after a two-vehicle crash on Hershey Road in South Hanover Township. Pennsylvania State Police said the head-on collision happened near 565 Hershey Road, close to the Devonshire Road intersection.
Troopers said a Lexus was headed south on Hershey Road when it crossed the double yellow center line and struck a northbound Jeep head on. The crash happened just before 5 p.m., according to state police.
Firefighters had to extricate the Lexus driver from the wreckage. That driver was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel, state police said. The Jeep's driver was not hurt, though the vehicle reportedly sustained heavy damage.
Hershey Road was closed for an extended period Sunday while crews worked the scene, according to the report. The circumstances that led the Lexus to cross the center line remain under investigation, and state police have not released additional details, including the names of those involved.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
A Common Misconception About Head-On Crashes
Many drivers assume that in a head-on crash, the bigger or newer vehicle simply absorbs the impact and its occupants come out fine. The data does not support that idea nearly as cleanly as people think.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when a passenger car and a light truck collided head-on in a fatal crash, an occupant was nearly three times more frequently killed in the passenger car in 2023. Vehicle size and weight matter, but they do not neutralize the risk for anyone involved. Speed, the angle of impact, and where the collision lands on each vehicle all shape the outcome as much as which vehicle is bigger.
That's part of why head-on crashes are treated as a distinct hazard by crash investigators. The physics of two vehicles closing on each other means combined speeds are often far higher than in a rear-end or side-impact crash, regardless of vehicle size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I see a car drifting into my lane?
Slow down, move right toward the shoulder if it's safe, and sound your horn to alert the other driver. Avoid swerving hard left, which can put you into oncoming traffic in the other lane.
What injuries are common in head-on crashes?
Chest, head, and lower-leg injuries are frequent, along with fractures from the force of the impact. Seatbelts and airbags reduce but do not eliminate these risks given the combined speed of both vehicles.
What typically causes head-on collisions?
Common factors include a driver crossing the center line due to distraction, fatigue, impairment, or a medical emergency, as well as improper passing on two-lane roads.
Why are head-on crashes so severe?
Because both vehicles are moving toward each other, the combined speed at the moment of impact is much higher than in most other crash types, which increases the force absorbed by each vehicle and its occupants.
What to Do After a Head-On Crash in South Hanover Township, PA
If you're involved in a head-on crash, call 911 immediately and stay in place unless the vehicle is unsafe to remain in. Even if you feel fine, get checked by medical personnel at the scene, since injuries like internal bleeding or concussions can take hours to show symptoms.
Remember to take photos of the vehicles, the roadway, and any skid marks if you're able to safely do so, and get contact information for any witnesses. Request a copy of the police report once it's available, and follow up with your own doctor in the days after the crash, even if initial exams turned up nothing serious.
