Fatality after Crash

Investigator Zachary Martin of the Mansfield PSP reports on a fatality that occurred on 4-21-12 at 2355 hours on State Highway 549.  A 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Michael Pannebaker, 45, of Mansfield was travelling north on SR549.  His vehicle crossed the southbound lane striking an embankment on the west berm.  After striking the embankment, his vehicle came back on the roadway in the southbound lane and was then struck by a 2000 Ford Taurus driven by Westley Brown, 46, of Mansfield. that was travelling south.  Pannebaker was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead on arrival by Deputy Coroner Ronald Hagar at 0024 hours.  He was not wearing a seatbelt.  Brown received a minor injury and was transported to Soldiers and Sailors Hospital by Mansfield Fire and Ambulance.  He was wearing a seatbelt.  Both units were disabled and towed by Burkholder’s Garage.

Investigator Jason Miller of the Mansfield PSP reports that just before the crash, Pannebaker was travelling north behind a Pontiac Sunfire driven by Francine Burleigh,72, of Mansfield.  Pannebaker attempted to pass Burleigh on the left and, for unknown reasons, sideswiped the Sunfire as the pass on the left was being attempted.  Pannebaker failed to stop after striking the Sunfire.  Burleigh was not injured.