LEBANON COUNTY, PA — A tragic collision at the intersection of U.S. Route 22 and Coon Creek Road in East Hanover Township claimed the life of a 35-year-old Schuylkill Haven man on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The victim, identified as Cory Rhoad, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lebanon County coroner.
The crash occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., according to the Pennsylvania State Police. A 67-year-old man from Palmyra, driving a 2010 Honda Fit, had stopped at a posted stop sign on Coon Creek Road. After checking for oncoming traffic in both directions, the driver proceeded to make a left turn onto Route 22. At that moment, a 2009 Saab 93B, driven by Rhoad, was traveling eastbound on the highway and collided with the Honda.
Rhoad sustained fatal injuries in the impact and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Emergency responders transported the Honda driver to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with suspected minor injuries. Authorities have not released further details regarding the condition of the vehicles or whether Rhoad was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The Pennsylvania State Police are actively investigating the incident, and no charges have been filed as of now. Investigators are working to determine the factors contributing to the collision, including potential influences such as speed, distraction, or road conditions. The eastbound lanes of Route 22 were closed between Gravel Hill Road and Jonestown Road for approximately five hours, reopening around 10 p.m. that evening, as emergency crews and PennDOT personnel managed the scene.
The loss of Cory Rhoad has deeply affected the Schuylkill Haven community, where friends and family are grappling with the sudden tragedy. Authorities are reminding drivers to exercise heightened caution at intersections along major highways like Route 22, where high-speed traffic can pose significant risks. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to gather evidence and seek witness accounts to piece together the circumstances of this devastating crash.
