Woman killed in crash near Austin

An Austin woman died last Friday evening (Oct. 20) as a result of injuries she sustained when her vehicle crashed after apparently hydroplaning on a flooded section of Route 872, north of the borough. The victim was 19-year-old Breann A. Harstad.

State police from Denton Hill said she was southbound shortly before 6:00 when her Mazda sedan slide across the water-covered roadway and struck the guardrails. Harstad, who was wearing her seat belt, died from multiple blunt force trauma.

The victim's two-year-old daughter was taken by medical helicopter to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment of injuries. She was reported in good condition the following day.

A 17-year-old female juvenile passenger was taken by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment of moderate injuries.