Three people from Altoona were killed in a two-vehicle accident on Old Route 220 in Antis Township on Wednesday morning.
According to the Hollidaysburg state police the accident happened at 9:10 a.m. when a vehicle operated by 24-year-old Ralph Stephen Olivo, Jr. was south bound on the road near the location of the new Northern Blair Recreation Center. Police described the accident scene as about a half-mile south of State Route 4023 in Antis Township.
A van operated by 58-year-old James Evin Cherry of Bellwood was north bound on the road when Olivo, Jr.’s car traveled in a diagonal direction going across the center lane into the north bound lane. The front portion of Olivo Jr.’s car made initial impact with the front right portion of Cherry’s van.
Olivo Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene as were two passengers in his car. According to the police, none of the occupants were wearing seat belts.
Blair County Deputy Coroner Paul Kerns investigated the accident. He said Olivo Jr. died of massive head and chest trauma. Two women also died in the accident, 47-year-old Mary Olivo was ejected from the vehicle and died of massive head, neck and body injuries. Thirty-eight-year-old Michele Kenney died of head and chest trauma.
Kerns said no autopsies had been done on the victims. He did say toxicology tests were conducted.
Cherry was taken to Tyrone Hospital by Bellwood Area ambulance. He suffered moderate injuries.
Both vehicles had severe damage.
Police said their investigation was ongoing.
