Three people, including a young child, were killed Wednesday evening after their minivan veered off the road, struck a tree stump and flew roof first into a tree, according to state police.
Police said the fatal crash happened shortly after 6 p.m. in the 200 block of Centerville Pike, Route 173 in Brady Township, Butler County.
Police identified the deceased as Kimberly McLaughlin, 32, of McKees Rocks, who was driving and passengers Terry Cramer, 42, of Coraopolis and 3-year-old Terry Cramer Jr., who was in a child safety seat.
Two additional passengers were being treated at area hospitals, including a 1-year-old girl who was flown to Children's Hospital of UPMC and an 11-year-old who was taken to Butler Memorial, police reported.
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review identified the two being treated as Emily McLaughlin, 1, and Stephanie Pounds, 11.
State police told the Trib it appears McLaughlin may have fallen asleep at the wheel when she lost control of the southbound vehicle, which veered across the northbound lanes and hit a stump with the undercarriage of the vehicle, before being catapulted, roof first, into a tree.
Police said the minivan came to rest on its wheels facing north. All three kids were still in child safety seats. Police said McLaughlin was wearing a seat belt, but Cramer was not.
The crash happened not far from The Old Stone House historic inn and museum.
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