‘DUI Crash’ with Two Classic Cars Leaves One Dead
Alcohol-fueled, three-vehicle crash leaves one dead, and five injured.
One woman died July 2 after a “DUI crash” in north-central Pennsylvania during which one driver collided with two classic Chevrolets, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
The medical examiner pronounced Mary Teresa Caprio, 70, dead at the scene after the 1957 Bel Air she was riding in was hit head-on by a Jeep Wrangler. Gary K. Stover, 71, was driving the ‘57 Chevy and was airlifted to the hospital, as well.
Police say the accident began when Gregory Millinder Jr., 31, crossed the centerline while driving south on Route 53 in Clearfield County near Houtzdale. Millinder’s Jeep Wrangler struck the rear of a 1963 Chevy Corvette driven by Daniel and Susan Gillette. The Jeep then continued in the wrong lane, hitting the ‘57 Bel Air head-on. Both Corvette occupants were taken to hospital.
Police allege Millinder was driving under the influence and charges were pending the results of a blood test. Both Millinder and an 8-year-old passenger in the Jeep were treated for minor injuries.
While we don’t know all the circumstances, we know this amounts to a lot of tragedy for a half-dozen people who were likely enjoying the weekend that leads up to a holiday. Cruising in classic cars shouldn’t have tragic consequences. And while driving under the influence is always the worst thing you can do in a car, it’s even worse if you have a young passenger.
Drunk-driving fatalities have been reduced by one-third in the last three decades so organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving have made progress. However, every year still sees more than 10,000 DUI-related deaths. That’s way too many—Pennsylvania State Police reported four fatal alcohol-related accidents alone over the Independence Day long weekend. We hate that it takes accidents like this to remind people that driving under the influence is dumb.
Take it seriously and don’t make excuses: If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. There’s always another way to get where you’re going even if it means waiting.
[Photo: Larry Nichols/Facebook]