CUMBOLA - A Pottsville man is dead and another man was flown to the hospital after the vehicle they were in rolled over and into several trees just before 7 p.m. Wednesday on Route 209, south of Payton Street in East Norwegian Township.
Christopher Gibas, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene while Rick J. Reilly, 48, of Pottsville, was flown by MedEvac to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, to be treated for moderate injuries.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said Gibas was driving a 1999 Jeep Cherokee south on Route 209 at a high rate of speed and lost control of the vehicle while following a the left curve just in front of Boardman Brothers Motor Car Co. The car traveled along the west berm, became airborne and struck a tree. The Jeep flipped over onto its roof.
Gibas and Reilly were not wearing seat belts, police said.
Pottsville/Schuylkill Haven EMS, Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 and Yorkville Hose Company No. 1 assisted at the scene. Route 209 was closed in both directions for about two hours during the investigation and while the vehicle was removed.