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Driver cited following Schuylkill County crash

A Schuylkill County driver was cited following a crash in which parked vehicles and property were damaged. It was one of two crashes reported by state police at Frackville.

Troopers said Marvin P. Houtz, 56, of Shenandoah, was driving a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan southbound on Route 339 in North Union Township at 2:45 a.m. Saturday, and intended to turn slightly left onto Green Mountain Road. He said an oncoming pickup northbound on Green Mountain Road was in his lane.Houtz said he veered slightly onto the berm, traveling 66 feet before striking a drainage culvert with its front right corner. The Caravan continued south, entering the parking lot of Stauffer's Towing. The Caravan continued across the lot another 160 feet before crashing into the rear of a 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup which was parked for repairs.Impact caused the pickup to spin 90 degrees clockwise and sheared off its right rear wheel. The Caravan then hit a dirt embankment separating two parking areas of the lot. It then continued south another 36 feet before "T-boning" a parked 2001 BMW sport wagon, also there for repairs.Impact debris also damaged a flatbed tow truck parked on the lot as well as the garage door of the business.Houtz attempted to knock at the door of the business and a nearby home, then walked away from the scene southbound. He was not injured. Damages were termed severe to the Caravan, Dakota and BMW. Houtz was cited for the crash.A deer was involved in a crash along Interstate 81 in Mahanoy Township that occurred at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Troopers said Luke Doby, 32, of Bloomsburg, was driving a 2014 Nissan Juke northbound in the right lane when he encountered a deer in the middle of the road. He attempted to avoid the animal but could not, with the passenger side front bumper striking the deer.After impact, the Juke left the road on the west side, traveled north 212 feet before spinning counter-clockwise and rolling over onto the driver's side. The Juke came to rest on the west side facing south resting on the driver's side.Doby was not injured.