Split-Second Tragedy: Charles Potosnyak Killed in Fatal Highway Crash
COLERIDGE, PA — A routine turn onto the highway became a fatal mistake this week, ending in a devastating crash that claimed the life of 62-year-old Charles Potosnyak, a longtime Coleridge resident known for his easy smile and helping hands.
The tragic accident occurred at a notoriously tricky intersection just outside the town limits, where a rural road meets a high-speed stretch of highway. According to preliminary reports, Potosnyak’s Buick entered the roadway in the path of an oncoming semi-truck. In that split second, everything changed.
The semi-truck driver had no time to stop.
The collision was brutal. The impact crumpled the Buick, sending metal and glass flying across the shoulder. Potosnyak, who was not wearing a seatbelt, had no chance. Laurel EMS arrived quickly, but their efforts were in vain. The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene, confirming that the force of the crash made survival impossible.
The semi-truck driver’s condition remains uncertain, with authorities offering no update as of Friday evening. What is known is that the trauma of such a violent crash, even for those who survive physically, can last a lifetime.
Police and crash investigators have spent the last two days meticulously reconstructing the accident. Tire marks, dash cam footage from the semi, and witness statements are all being analyzed. Questions abound: Was Charles distracted? Did he misjudge the truck’s speed? Did poor visibility or a blind spot contribute to the miscalculation?
“There’s a lot we still don’t know,” said a state trooper on the scene. “But every fatal crash is one too many. We owe it to the victim, the driver, and their families to figure out exactly what went wrong.”
Residents of Coleridge are left grappling with the loss. Charles wasn’t a public figure or a headline-maker in life, but he was a constant presence in his community. He’d wave from his front porch, help neighbors with yard work, and never missed the Sunday flea market. In a small town like Coleridge, those touches matter. And now, there’s an empty space where he used to be.
“He was a good guy,” said one neighbor, eyes misting. “The kind of person you’d count on to pick up your mail when you were out of town or help dig your car out in the winter. This is just awful. Too fast, too soon.”
The intersection in question has been flagged before by residents concerned about visibility and signage. While it hasn’t been labeled a “trouble spot” officially, some now hope this tragedy will spur local officials to take a closer look at safety measures in the area—more signage, clearer lines of sight, or even a traffic signal.
Charles’s family has asked for privacy but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. In a short statement, they said: “Charles was deeply loved. He lived simply and gave generously. We are heartbroken.”
This accident serves as a grim reminder of how fragile life can be—how a simple misjudgment, a blink too late, can change everything. As investigators search for answers, Coleridge mourns not just the loss of a man, but the heavy truth that any one of us could be next.
Rest in peace, Charles Potosnyak. Your town won’t forget you.