Death Of Mother, 3 Children In PA Tractor Was 'Accidental': Police

YORK COUNTY, PA — The deaths of a mother, her two children, and a third child while riding in a tractor in York County last week have been ruled accidental following an investigation, according to authorities and multiple media reports. The cause of the crash remains unknown and is still under investigation.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 29 at around 11 a.m. in Lower Chanceford.

The tractor was pulling a trailer carrying 12 people down a farm road, near the 1100 block of Furnace Road. It was on its way to a recreational area.

Something caused the tractor to drive off the road and over an embankment, leading the trailer to roll over, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The woman killed has been idnetified as 36-year-old Katie Ann Stoltzfus, along with her 14-year-old daughter Mary Etta Stoltzfus and 7-year-old Naomi Rose Stoltzfus. Caleb Emmanuel Fisher, 9, was also killed, authorities said.

Several other children were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. The driver of the tractor was seriously injured as well.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Pennsylvania State Police Troop J, including the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist Unit, Forensic Services Unit, and Criminal Investigation Unit all responded to the scene, along with the York County Coroner.