MIFFLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA — The Mifflin County Coroner has identified the driver killed when a tractor-trailer plunged into the Laurel Creek Reservoir early Friday morning as Steven Larrabee, 72, of Christiana, Lancaster County. Recovery crews spent nearly nine hours working at the scene before removing Larrabee from the fully submerged tractor. An autopsy will be performed. The crash investigation remains ongoing.
Coroner Andrea Alcalde confirmed the identification. “The Mifflin County Coroner’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to all responding agencies for their professionalism, coordination, and assistance throughout the response and recovery efforts,” Alcalde said.
What Happened
The crash occurred at approximately 2:30-2:45 a.m. Friday on U.S. Route 322 westbound in Mifflin County. Larrabee’s tractor-trailer failed to negotiate a right curve, struck the center concrete barrier, went through a guardrail, and continued onto a gravel road for approximately 150 feet before going over an embankment and plunging into the Laurel Creek Reservoir — the primary water source for the Mifflin County Water Authority.
The tractor was fully submerged. The trailer was partially submerged. Numerous dive teams from across the region, including from Lewistown and Newton-Hamilton, responded to assist in the recovery effort alongside multiple other agencies. The tractor-trailer was removed from the reservoir after nearly nine hours of work on scene.
Water Advisory
As a result of the crash, the Mifflin County Municipal Authority issued a Do Not Drink the Water Notice for its customers on Saturday, April 18, after an electrical transformer surge caused a catastrophic loss to one of the primary alternate water sources, making it impossible to meet water system demands without drawing from the Laurel Creek Reservoir. The authority stopped sourcing water from the reservoir immediately following the crash. Water that was already in the distribution system before the notice was drawn and treated before the crash and meets water quality standards.
The advisory will remain in effect until the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection completes its water quality testing, which is expected to conclude by Monday morning at the latest. Lewistown Borough is offering free bottled water for residents affected by the crash.
The Municipal Authority will provide updates on its website as information becomes available. Residents can also contact business manager Deanna Hassinger at 717-248-0165.
Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the crash. The Mifflin County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy.
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