THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. TONIGHT, STATE POLICE IDENTIFIED A WOMAN WHO DIED AFTER A WRONG WAY CRASH ON 283 LAST NIGHT. ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE. HEATHER BAIR FROM NEW SALEM BOROUGH IN YORK COUNTY, WAS DRIVING A MERCEDES SEDAN WESTBOUND IN THE EASTBOUND LANES OF 283 IN EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP AROUND 1030 LAST NIGHT, BEAR STRUCK AN EMS VEHICLE BEFORE CONTINUING TO TRAVEL THE WRONG WAY AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A PSP CRUISER, POLICE SAID. THE EMS VEHICLE STAYED ON SCENE TO PROVIDE AID. THEY REPORTEDLY DIED FR
Mercedes driver dies after wrong-way crash into EMS vehicle, PSP cruiser on Route 283 in Lancaster County, troopers say
Updated: 8:19 PM EST Feb 22, 2026
A Mercedes driver died after a wrong-way crash on Route 283 in Lancaster County involving an EMS vehicle and a police cruiser, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Troopers said Heather Bare, 48, of New Salem Borough, York County, was driving a Mercedes sedan westbound in the eastbound lanes of Route 283 in East Hempfield Township on Saturday, Feb. 21. Around 10:37 p.m., the Mercedes struck an EMS vehicle before continuing to travel the wrong way and crashing head-on into a Pennsylvania State Police cruiser, according to investigators. Police said the EMS vehicle remained at the scene to provide aid to the individuals in both vehicles. Police: One dead, others injured The occupants of the cruiser had to be extricated before they were transported to Lancaster General Hospital, where they remain in stable condition, according to officials.It’s unclear how many people were in the cruiser at the time of the crash. Bare, the Mercedes driver, was also extricated before she was taken to Lancaster General Hospital, where she died from her injuries. The cause and manner of her death have not yet been released.The incident remains under active investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Lancaster Station, the Troop J Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist Unit, and the Troop J Forensics Services Unit. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact the police at 717-299-7650. Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more. See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A Mercedes driver died after a wrong-way crash on Route 283 in Lancaster County involving an EMS vehicle and a police cruiser, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Troopers said Heather Bare, 48, of New Salem Borough, York County, was driving a Mercedes sedan westbound in the eastbound lanes of Route 283 in East Hempfield Township on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Around 10:37 p.m., the Mercedes struck an EMS vehicle before continuing to travel the wrong way and crashing head-on into a Pennsylvania State Police cruiser, according to investigators.
Police said the EMS vehicle remained at the scene to provide aid to the individuals in both vehicles.
Police: One dead, others injured
The occupants of the cruiser had to be extricated before they were transported to Lancaster General Hospital, where they remain in stable condition, according to officials.
It’s unclear how many people were in the cruiser at the time of the crash.
Bare, the Mercedes driver, was also extricated before she was taken to Lancaster General Hospital, where she died from her injuries.
The cause and manner of her death have not yet been released.
The incident remains under active investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Lancaster Station, the Troop J Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist Unit, and the Troop J Forensics Services Unit.
Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact the police at 717-299-7650.
Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.