Tragic Road Accident Claims the Life of Mercersburg Resident Angel M. Rife in Collision with Dump Truck
In a tragic turn of events on January 30, Angel M. Rife, 49, from Mercersburg, lost her life in a head-on collision with a dump truck on Welsh Run Road/PA 995 in Montgomery Township near Greencastle. The accident, detailed by PSP Chambersburg Trooper Kevin Rhodes in a follow-up release, occurred between Bradley and Montgomery Church roads around 9:21 a.m., prompting first responders to rush to the multi-vehicle crash site.
Rife was driving her 2013 Chevrolet Cruze north when, for reasons yet unknown, she veered across the double yellow lines into the southbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2006 Peterbilt 357 dump truck. The aftermath of the collision left Rife’s Cruze on the side of the road facing east, while the dump truck, operated by Jeffrey Holtry, 65, of Newburg, was immobilized in the roadway, its passenger side facing west. Both vehicles were subsequently towed from the scene by Daves Truck Repair and Parts of Chambersburg.
Tragically, Rife was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of the MMPW Ambulance Squad. Franklin County Coroner’s Office was called to make the official pronouncement. Jeffrey Holtry, the driver of the dump truck, fortunately escaped unharmed, as reported by PSP. No witnesses to the crash were reported, according to Trooper Rhodes.
Rife, a former school bus driver, had been involved in a previous accident in 2015 where she sustained injuries after rear-ending a van while driving a school bus, as reported by Public Opinion at the time. Court records indicate that she had pleaded guilty to speeding in 2021 and careless driving in 2023 in Franklin County.
A co-worker of Rife, whose details about her most recent employment remain undisclosed, expressed that she will be greatly missed, reflecting the sentiments of those who knew her. However, further information about her life and recent employment was not available at the time of the report.
This unfortunate incident has cast a somber mood over the community, reminding everyone of the unpredictability and fragility of life. As the community grapples with this loss, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Angel M. Rife, mourning a life cut tragically short.
