Late Thursday morning in Forward Township, Butler County, a devastating head-on collision on Pennsylvania Route 68 (Evans City Road) claimed the lives of two women and left a community reeling.
Around 10:44 a.m., troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police responded to a call of a two-vehicle crash near the intersection with Buhl Road. Investigators say a westbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by 69-year-old Kathryn J. McGown of Evans City crossed the center double-yellow line and collided head-on with a 2014 Cadillac XTS traveling east, driven by 80-year-old Marcia D. Carnahan of Slippery Rock.
Sadly, both women were pronounced dead at the scene. McGown was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash; Carnahan was buckled in. Emergency crews described the force of the impact as severe, one that left both vehicles mangled and required hours of careful work to clear the scene and redirect traffic.
The closure of Route 68 stretched for nearly four hours as investigators combed the wreckage, collected evidence, and searched for clues about what prompted McGown’s Jeep to drift into the opposing lane. Police have not released any immediate information about mechanical failure, impairment, or other contributing factors—but the investigation remains ongoing.
In the wake of the accident, neighbours and community members have been shaken by the loss. McGown, a longtime resident of Evans City, and Carnahan, from Slippery Rock, were both well-known in the area. Their sudden passing has left a void among friends, family and fellow residents alike.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have seen the Jeep or Cadillac in the minutes leading up to the collision to reach out to the Pennsylvania State Police. Even small details could help clarify what led to this tragic turn of events.
As the investigation continues, it’s a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change on rural roads—even the ones we use regularly without a second thought. Families are left to mourn; the community is left to ask how and why.