Two fatal crashes over the weekend claimed the lives of drivers in Jefferson and Monroe counties, according to authorities.
In Jefferson County, a crash happened early Saturday morning in Salem Township. Officials say 59-year-old Richard Burchfield of Amsterdam was driving southbound on State Route 43 around 5:10 a.m. when he lost control of his 2000 Chevrolet Silverado while negotiating a curve. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned. Burchfield was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second fatal accident occurred Friday afternoon in Monroe County. Authorities say 47-year-old Christopher P. Pletcher of Beallsville was driving northbound on Center Ridge Road near County Road 29 around 1:30 p.m. when his 2007 Jeep Wrangler went off the right side of the road. The vehicle traveled down an embankment and overturned into a creek. Pletcher died as a result of the crash.
Both accidents remain under investigation.
