The driver involved in a fatal crash on Route 924 in July 2023 has been charged with homicide by vehicle, according to authorities.
The crash occurred in the early morning hours of July 31, 2023 on Route 924/Gold Star Highway in West Mahanoy Township. At approximately 4:21 a.m., a Honda Civic carrying four occupants—Zakary Kluchinsky, 18, Jeffrey Livergood, 22, and Logan Payne, 18, all of Frackville, along with Jenna Sallade, 18, of Mahanoy City—was traveling southbound just outside Shenandoah when the driver lost control. The vehicle struck an embankment on the right side of the highway, rolling multiple times and ejecting all four passengers.
Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak pronounced Sallade dead at the scene at 4:50 a.m. The other three occupants sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest near Allentown.
Initially, authorities did not specify who was behind the wheel. However, an affidavit filed by State Police showed that an investigation led to the determination that Kluchinsky was driving at the time of the crash. A blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was .029%.
The following charges were filed through Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker’s office on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. Kluchinsky, now 19, was arraigned by Judge Kilker on Wednesday and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bail.
UPDATE: January 29th, 2025 - As of 2:45pm, Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, Kluchinsky posted bail and was released.
Felony Charges:
- Homicide by Vehicle
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle – Two counts
Misdemeanor Charges:
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Controlled Substance
- DUI/Unsafe Driving
Summary Offenses:
- Driving at Safe Speed
- Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic - Single Lane Violation
- Failure to Use Safety Belt - Driver and Front Seat Occupant
- Reckless Driving
- Careless Driving - Unintentional Death
- Careless Driving - Serious Bodily Injury – Two counts