Efrain Martinez-Vargas and Cortney Hurry die in fatal Montour County car crashes
Fatal Montour County car crashes death of Efrain Martinez-Vargas and Cortney Hurry – Obituary
Efrain Martinez-Vargas of Moosic, PA, and Cortney Hurry of Lewisburg, PA, lost their lives in two separate crashes on Interstate 80 in Montour County.
According to state police, snow squalls contributed to a massive 16-vehicle pileup near Danville. The incident began when a tractor-trailer skidded on black ice and collided with a box truck, triggering a chain reaction. Martinez-Vargas, 48, was among those involved and tragically did not survive. Two other individuals sustained serious injuries.
Images taken by members of the Valley Township Volunteer Fire Department show the wreckage, including vehicles that caught fire in the aftermath.
As authorities worked to manage the situation, traffic was initially rerouted at the Danville exit. However, another fatal crash occurred around 10:00 a.m. near mile marker 224, just west of the Buckhorn exit. In this incident, 22-year-old Hurry crashed into the back of a flatbed tractor-trailer, resulting in her death.
A woman whose son was caught in the pileup recounted his experience, describing how icy roads and high speeds led to collisions. He narrowly escaped harm by leaping over a guardrail when another truck approached.
Detours remained in effect throughout the day, causing heavy traffic congestion along Routes 42, 11, 54, and 254.
State police continue to investigate both crashes. Interstate 80 westbound has since reopened.
