A father and his two children from Long Island have been identified as the victims of a triple fatal crash on the Interstate 76/PA Turnpike involving a tractor-trailer that happened on Sunday, July 21, Pennsylvania State Police and the Lancaster County Coroner announced in separate releases the following Monday.
Donnell Hickson, 43 of the 2700 block of Grant Avenue in Baldwin, NY, has been identified as the driver of the passenger vehicle that fatally collided with a tractor-trailer at mile marker 268.8 at 4:24 a.m., authorities detailed.
His 18-year-old son, Decir Hickson of the 2200 block of Hills Drive in Pittsburgh and his 11-year-old daughter (whose name and biographical details were not released) were the two passengers who also died at the scene, according to the coroner's office.
Their bodies were taken to Lancaster County Forensic Center for autopsies. All three died accidental deaths due to multiple traumatic injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to Lancaster General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to state police.
The right shoulder of I-76 remained blocked with delays as of 11 a.m. Sunday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's 511PA.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by PSP.
Donnell, from Long Island, was a class of 1999 graduate of Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst in Nassau County, who went on to study Liberal Arts at York University, according to his social media profiles.
His former coach released the following statement about his sudden passing on Facebook reading in part:
"He always had a smile from ear to ear. As far as track, he would do any event, he used to say to me, whatever events you need me to do, I’ll do. He was a hell of a 400 runner and an even better jumper. He was a one of the best triple jumpers on Long Island and became an All NY State jumper his senior year and competed in Nationals down in Carolina. Years later, Donnell used to come back to Lawrence to help me, as well as our young jumpers, teaching them the skills needed to be successful. As good as a track athlete as Donnell was, he was even a better person. Donnell was Lawrence Track Royalty. The class of 1999 lost a superstar in my eyes."
His passing is deeply felt by the community:
R.I.P. Donnell Hickson 🕊️🩵. I cannot believe you are gone so soon. You were a big part of my childhood memories. You...
Posted by Amanda Kelly on Sunday, July 21, 2024
Additional details about Donnell or his children — including funeral information were unavailable at the time of publishing. The family is invited to contact Daily Voice to share such information by emailing jpikora@dailyvoice.com.
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