February 6th, 2024 by WCBC Radio
On February 5 at 2131 hours, troopers from the Cumberland Stae Police barrack responded to US 220 south of Collins Drive, in Allegany County, for a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, troopers found a 2024 International truck tractor across the southbound lane and a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox underneath the trailer. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Stephen C. Sluss (W/M Age: 65, of Keyser, WV), was heavily trapped inside the vehicle. The Shock Trauma Go Team responded to the scene due to the entrapment. Sluss was eventually removed and flown by MSP Trooper 5 to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD, with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck-tractor, Joseph Phareau (B/M Age: 46, of Jacksonville, NC), was not injured in the crash. Based on the injuries, a crash reconstruction specialist was requested. The investigation determined that Phareau was backing the truck-tractor into the lot located in the area when the Equinox collided with the trailer.
