MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP, Pa – The Berks County Coroner’s Office says 93-year-old Elizabeth Brewer of Spring Township died Friday night in a crash that closed the southbound lanes of 222 in Muhlenberg Township between routes 61 and 183.
Brewer was driving the wrong way when she collided with a tractor trailer. Authorities say she was travelling north in the southbound lanes and now officials are offering some advice ahead of the holiday rush.
“The lady was elderly, 93, and had been previously in the area of Wyomissing where she was observed to be confused. She had been checked out by medical staff and released but we’re not exactly sure what the circumstances were there,” said George Holmes with the coroner’s office.
Authorities say Brewer died of multiple injuries and the manner of death was accidental. Officials say the driver of the tractor trailer didn’t get hurt.
“There comes a point where it’s not safe to drive anymore and it’s hard for people to recognize that, so rely on the family members around them to see the circumstances around that and react accordingly,” Holmes said.
The coroner’s office says people should check on the elderly drivers they know.
“It can change from one month to the next. No one wants to have their license taken away, whether they’re 16 or 86,” Holmes said.
With Thanksgiving days away, the holiday travel season is a time to be extra cautious.
“Sometimes during the holidays, people travel to different areas that they’re normally not going to. They may not be familiar with the roads there,” added Holmes.