In the twilight of Tuesday evening, tragedy struck on Interstate 180 West, just outside the serene borough of Montoursville, Pennsylvania. A rented Nissan Rogue, hurtling through the dusk, became the center of a catastrophic accident that would leave one person dead and another fighting for their life. The man behind the wheel, identified by authorities as 71-year-old William Scott from Dallas, Texas, met a tragic end in a crash so violent it left responders grappling with the wreckage’s grim aftermath.

The incident unfolded around 6:30 p.m. on August 19, 2025, as Scott and his passenger, 70-year-old Carolyn Castro, also of Dallas, traveled westbound along the interstate. For reasons still under intense scrutiny by the Pennsylvania State Police, Scott lost control of the SUV. In a harrowing moment witnessed by an off-duty state trooper traveling in the opposite direction, the Nissan Rogue veered wildly, launching off the highway in a near-100-yard airborne arc. The vehicle plummeted over 60 feet, crashing with devastating force into an embankment along Brushy Ridge Road below.

The impact was catastrophic. The SUV, reduced to a mangled heap, was so severely demolished that initial responders struggled to even identify its make or model. Emergency crews, including Montoursville volunteer firefighters, descended on the scene with urgency. Both Scott and Castro were trapped in the wreckage, pinned amidst twisted metal and debris. Firefighters worked swiftly to extricate them, their efforts a race against time. Scott, however, was pronounced dead at the scene by Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr., his life extinguished instantly by blunt force trauma. Castro, gravely injured, was rushed to UPMC Williamsport, where she remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit, battling to survive.

The crash site, located just half a mile east of Montoursville, became a somber tableau of flashing lights and emergency vehicles lining Brushy Ridge Road. State troopers, coroner’s representatives, and first responders worked late into the night, piecing together the sequence of events. The off-duty trooper’s account provided a chilling detail: the Rogue had been traveling at a high rate of speed before it went airborne, soaring over an overpass and crashing below. Yet, the precise cause of Scott’s loss of control remains elusive, with investigators combing through evidence to uncover what led to this deadly plunge.

Adding to the complexity, authorities faced challenges identifying Scott in the immediate aftermath. He carried no wallet, driver’s license, or any form of identification, leaving police to work diligently to confirm his identity and locate his family. Castro’s identity, though known, has been closely guarded by officials, who have shared only that she hails from the Dallas area. As the investigation continues, questions linger about what factors—mechanical failure, human error, or road conditions—may have contributed to this heart-wrenching incident.

The stretch of Interstate 180 where the crash occurred is no stranger to recent attention. A two-year, $14 million highway improvement project, led by contractor Glenn O. Hawbaker, has been underway in the region, involving drainage upgrades, tree removal, and resurfacing efforts. Just days before the crash, work was ongoing near the Fairfield Road interchange, though no direct link to the accident has been established. The project, set to continue through fall 2026, underscores the area’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety—a stark contrast to the devastation that unfolded that fateful evening.

As the Montoursville community and beyond mourn the loss of William Scott, the focus remains on Carolyn Castro’s recovery and the search for answers. The Pennsylvania State Police continue their meticulous investigation, determined to uncover the truth behind this tragedy. For now, the twisted remains of the Nissan Rogue stand as a somber reminder of life’s fragility and the unpredictable dangers that can unfold in an instant on the open road.