29-Year-Old Lewisburg Man Killed, Two Teens Seriously Injured in Kelly Township Crash

Pennsylvania State Police say a single-vehicle crash at 8:54 p.m. Sunday on the 2800 block of Colonel John Kelly Road in Kelly Township killed 29-year-old Matthew L. Eberly of Lewisburg and seriously injured two 18-year-old men who were taken to nearby hospitals. Eberly, a rear-seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

According to a Pennsylvania State Police release summarized by NorthcentralPa.com and a statement credited to Trooper Bradley Derk, the SUV involved was a 2003 Ford Explorer traveling west when the driver failed to negotiate a slight right-hand turn. The SUV crossed into the eastbound lane, left the roadway west of the intersection with Fenton Road, struck an embankment on the south side of the road, hit a tree on the front passenger side, and came to final rest facing south on the south side of Colonel John Kelly Road.

NorthcentralPa.com identified the driver as Shawn R. Miller, 18, of Watsontown; that report, citing the State Police release, said Miller and an unnamed 18-year-old front-seat passenger were both seriously injured and transported to nearby hospitals. WNEP and other outlets described the crash as occurring just before 9 p.m., and Standard-Journal also reported the 8:54 p.m. time and identified the vehicle as a 2003 Ford Explorer and the deceased as Matthew Eberly.

Trooper Bradley Derk and the Pennsylvania State Police Milton barracks are handling the investigation, and officials have not released hospital names, the front-seat passenger’s identity, or additional medical details. Reports to date do not include information on impairment testing, citations, seat belt use, airbag deployment, or a medical examiner’s findings; those items have not been released by investigators.

An online obituary-style posting circulating in Lewisburg described community mourning for Eberly. ChoiceFuneral posted that "the community of Lewisburg is mourning the tragic loss of Matthew Eberly, 29" and remembered him for kindness and steady presence among family and friends.

The collision on Colonel John Kelly Road puts focus on several local concerns that intersect with public health and emergency care: two injured 18-year-olds required hospital transport from a rural roadway, and the fatality involved a 29-year-old resident of Lewisburg. Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the crash mechanics and circumstances, and authorities have not yet released follow-up findings such as toxicology results or a coroner's determination. Responding agencies ask anyone with information about the crash west of Fenton Road to contact the PSP Milton barracks as the investigation proceeds.