Teen Soap Box Derby Champion Killed After Car Spins Into Path of Tractor-Trailer
An 18-year-old recent high school graduate was killed and four teenage boys were injured after their car spun into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer on a Pennsylvania road.
Alexandria J. “Alex” Womer, of Pottsville, died in the two-vehicle crash at approximately 8:16 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Womer was riding in the front passenger seat of a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu driven by 19-year-old Martin A. Malis, also of Pottsville. Three other boys, ages 14, 16 and 17, were riding in the car.
Investigators said the Malibu was traveling west on Burma Road, also known as State Route 1006, north of Firetower Road in Blythe Township, when Malis lost control while attempting to navigate a left-hand curve.
The car rotated approximately 90 degrees, crossed into the eastbound lane and entered the path of an approaching 2014 Kenworth tractor-trailer.
The truck slammed into the front passenger side of the Malibu, where Womer was sitting. Both vehicles eventually came to rest in the eastbound lane.
Womer suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. State police said she and all four other occupants of the Malibu were wearing lap-and-shoulder seat belts.
Malis suffered suspected serious injuries and was taken by the Ryan Township Emergency and Rescue Squad to Lehigh Valley Hospital–East.
A 16-year-old Pottsville boy also suffered suspected serious injuries and was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. A 17-year-old Pottsville boy was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest with suspected serious injuries.
The youngest passenger, a 14-year-old boy from Port Carbon, suffered what authorities described as a suspected minor injury. He was transported to St. Luke’s Miners Campus for treatment.
The precise nature of the teenagers’ injuries was not publicly released.
Police have not disclosed the identity or condition of the tractor-trailer driver.
The state police public information report classified the crash as involving a commercial vehicle, a fatality and suspected driving under the influence. However, the report did not identify which driver was suspected of being impaired, and no charges have been announced. FOX56
Womer had celebrated her 18th birthday on July 7 and had recently graduated with the Pottsville Area High School Class of 2026.
Earlier in July, she represented Pottsville at the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio. She qualified for the prestigious competition after winning the Super Stock Division of the Pottsville Soap Box Derby.
Womer competed with the support of Womer’s Garage, her family’s Pottsville business, where she also worked. Daily Voice
Ryan Township firefighters, several emergency medical agencies, the Pennsylvania State Police Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Specialists Unit and the Troop L Forensic Services Unit assisted at the scene.
State police continue to investigate what caused the deadly crash. No additional information has been released.
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