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BEAR CREEK TWP. — Two Burlington County, New Jersey, residents have been identified as the victims in a fatal crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension on Tuesday afternoon.
Gyula Molnar, 81, and Ileana Molnar, 71, of Roebling, N.J., died after the SUV they were riding in veered off the highway and overturned, striking a guard rail, state police said.
The driver, Lazlo Bencze, 80, and another passenger, Olga Bencze, 80, both of Shamong, N.J., also in Burlington County, were transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township for moderate injuries, troopers said.
The 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling south in the left lane near mile marker 106 at 3:20 p.m. when the driver lost control, troopers said. Its left front corner struck the center concrete barrier, veered back across the southbound lanes and onto the berm of the highway.
The vehicle then struck a guard rail and a rockfall fence, rolled onto its left side and finally came to rest on its roof.
No other vehicles were involved in the wreck.
An initial call came in to Luzerne County 911 dispatchers reporting multiple passengers trapped and serious injuries, possibly a decapitation.
The Molnars were pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.
State police responded to the scene, together with emergency responders from several Luzerne County communities, including the Kingston and Dupont fire departments and a Plains Township ambulance crew. The Luzerne County Coroner’s Office also responded.
The crash occurred a short distance north of the Bear Creek interchange on the highway, also known as Interstate 476. Traffic was temporarily restricted due to the rescue and investigation efforts.
Lispi’s Towing removed the damaged vehicle from the scene.