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Area drivers in Luzerne crashes

State police in Hazleton reported the following crashes involving area drivers:

• Two Schuylkill County drivers were involved in a two-vehicle crash in Luzerne County, with one facing a driving under the influence charge. State police at Hazleton said the crash occurred at 7:36 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the intersection of Route 924 and the south ramp to Interstate 81 in Hazle Township.

Troopers said a 39-year-old man from McAdoo, who troopers declined to identify, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox southbound near the south exit ramp of the interstate as Michael A. Shaup, 52, of Delano, driving a 2011 Chevrolet CK truck was in the left turn lane attempting to turn onto the interstate ramp. Shaup failed to yield the right of way and turned in front of the McAdoo driver and a collision occurred.

The McAdoo driver sustained a suspected minor injury and was transported to the Geisinger Wyoming Hospital, Plains Township. Shaup was not injured.

Troopers said the McAdoo driver showed signs of impairment was placed under arrest for DUI.

Both vehicles were towed.

• A crash occurred at 7:40 p.m. on March 7 along Interstate 81 in Hazle Township. Troopers said Francis J. Carduff, 60, of Shenandoah, was driving a 2020 International truck southbound when he lost control causing the rig to roll over and hit the guide rail on the east side of the road. Carduff sustained suspected minor injuries and was taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton Campus. The truck had to be towed.

• A crash occurred at 5:46 p.m. on Feb. 14 along Route 924 in Hazle Township.

Troopers said James R. Adkins, 51, of Cressona, driving a 2020 Volvo 850, traveled onto exit 143 from the northbound side of the road and was making a left turn onto 924 with a steady green light to head west. Kevin L. Taylor, 42, of Orwigsburg, driving a 2019 Freightliner tractor with trailer, was stopped on 924 in the far left turning lane at a steady red light. While making the turn onto 924 the Volvo struck the truck. After impact both vehicle came to rest at the point of impact.

No one was injured. The Volvo had to be towed.

• Police said on Feb. 10 at 10:30 p.m. troopers were dispatched to a crash at the intersection of Route 424 (Arthur Gardner Parkway) and South Church Street (Route 309), in Hazle Township. Carlos J. Cruz Rodriguez, 20, of Hazleton, driving a 2009 Subaru Impreza, and James J. Belusko, 42, of Beaver Meadows, driving a 2013 Dodge Avenger, were both westbound on Route 424 when Rodriguez’s vehicle made contact with the rear bumper of Belusko’s vehicle.

No one was injured. The Subaru was towed and Rodriguez was cited for following too closely.

• A Schuylkill County driver was involved in a two-vehicle crash at 4:34 p.m. on Sunday along Arthur Gardner Parkway in Hazle Township, Luzerne County.

State police at Hazleton said Ernesto Sanchez, 34, of Mahanoy City, driving a 2011 Subaru Outback, was exiting Interstate 81 and failed to stop for a stop sign when his vehicle struck a 2014 Toyota Rav4 driven by Carol A. Stancik, 75, of Zion Grove, who was eastbound on Arthur Gardner Parkway.

No one was injured. Both vehicles had to be towed.

Troopers cited Sanchez for stop signs and yield signs.

• Troopers said Joseph E. Novak, 32, of Beaver Meadows, was driving a 2010 Jeep Liberty on Feb. 21 at 7:27 a.m. southbound along Route 93 in Banks Township, Carbon County.

The vehicle left the road on the right side and hit a house with the front end.

Novak was not injured but his vehicle had to be towed. Troopers also noted damages to the exterior of the residence.

Novak was cited for driving a vehicle at a unsafe speed.