Two Injured, Traffic Signal Damaged in Crash That Closed North Atherton Street in Patton Township

Two people were injured and a traffic signal was rendered inoperable after a crash Friday morning on North Atherton Street in Patton Township.

At about 7:40 a.m., a sedan making a left turn out of the Walmart plaza onto North Atherton Street southbound, was struck by a pickup truck traveling in the left northbound lane of Atherton. Patton Township Police Chief Tyler Jolley said the driver of the sedan had a green light when making the turn.

The impact of the crash caused the pickup truck to travel at a 45 degree angle off of the right side of the road and strike the traffic signal pole at the entrance to the Walmart plaza, located between Vairo Boulevard and Woodycrest Street.

The drivers of both the sedan and pickup were taken by Centre LifeLink EMS to Mount Nittany Medical Center for treatment. Jolley said he did not know the extent of the injuries but did not believe they were life-threatening. Neither vehicle has any other occupants.

North Atherton Street at the Walmart plaza entrance was closed for about three hours.

Because the traffic signal is inoperable, only right turns in and out are currently permitted at the Walmart entrance.

Jolley said PennDOT is working on putting a temporary traffic signal in place.

Alpha Fire Police, Patton Township Public Works and traffic signal contractor Tel-Power also responded to the scene.