Wrong-way driver caused two deaths

One of two drivers killed Sunday in a head-on crash on Route 202 was driving in the wrong direction.

EAST WHITELAND » A Delaware County man was going the wrong way on Route 202 Sunday morning when he slammed into another vehicle, killing himself and the other driver, state police said.

There were no other occupants in either car, according to state police.

Pennsylvania State Police said the crash occurred on Route 202 near Conestoga Road in East Whiteland Township at about 8:07 a.m. Sunday. State police said in a news release that preliminary investigations indicate that driver Melvin Baskerville, 62, of Sharon Hill in Delaware County, traveled the wrong way in the southbound lanes on Route 202 and hit another vehicle head-on at approximately mile marker 17.2. State Police said for undetermined reasons, Baskerville was traveling north in the southbound lanes. It is not known where Baskerville got on Route 202 or how long he had been traveling in the wrong direction.

As a result of the impact of the crash in the left lane, Baskerville’s Kia came to a rest on the left shoulder of U.S. 202 Bypass south. State police said the other vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz driven by Monique Pierre, 32, of Coatesville, continued to travel southbound after the impact, rolled on its roof, and came to a rest on the right shoulder of the road. State police said Baskerville became entrapped in his vehicle and Pierre was ejected from her vehicle. State police said both drivers, who were the sole occupants, died at the scene.

State police were assisted by East Whiteland Police Department, East Whiteland Fire Company and EMS, the Chester County Coroner’s Office and Penn-DOT. Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Abel Brothers.

Route 202 southbound was closed for about seven hours on Sunday between Routes 29 and 401 as state police conducted an investigation. State police at Embreeville ask that anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the barracks at 610-486-6280.