Three dead in I-81 wreck

Last updated: April 3, 2015 - 11:37am


BUTLER TWP. - A man driving the wrong way on the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 slammed his Pontiac Grand Am into another car head-on, killing himself and two people in the other vehicle, State Police say. Daniel George Sleva Jr. 24, of Mahanoy City was headed north on I-81 at 6:36 a.m. between West Hazleton exit and Interstate 80 when he crashed his car into a 2013 Dodge Dart headed the other way, police said. Sleva, who was unbelted, was killed. So was the front-seat passenger of the Dart, Debra A. Johnson, 58 of Greenville, N.Y., who was wearing her seatbelt. Peter M. Johnson, 24, of Greenville, an unbelted rear-seat passenger in the Dart also died. The driver of the Dart, also named Peter M. Johnson, 59, was wearing his seatbelt and is currently listed in serious condition at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. The wreck shut down Interstate 81 South for nearly four hours. Fire police from as far away as Nescopeck borough were called out to help handle diverted traffic.

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