Dan Stamm

Deadly Wrong Way Wreck Closes Busy Route 30 Bypass for Hours, Slows School Buses

The Downingtown School District warns students & parents to expect delays as buses are rerouted to stops

What to Know

  • Deadly crash closes Route 30 Bypass for hours.
  • The wreck caused the Downingtown Area School District to reroute buses.
  • Massive delays caused traffic troubles throughout the area.

A big rig crash closed a busy Chester County highway for most of the morning rush Thursday and caused big trouble for Downingtown students trying to catch the bus.

A 2003 Hyundai sedan going westbound in the eastbound lanes of the Route 30 Bypass near Route 282 in East Caln Township slammed into a tractor-trailer around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police said.

The head-on wreck ejected Keith Ream from his car and left him dead at the scene, police said.

The roadway remained closed as of 7 a.m. Thursday as police diverted traffic at Route 322.

The crash investigation and fuel spill, which didn't involve a school bus, caused the Downingtown Area School District to reroute buses leading to delays.

It took drivers more than 30 minutes to go just a mile in the area at one point, district spokeswoman Pat McGlone said.

"Accident on Route 30 is causing a delay in getting our buses out to homes," the district said on its website. "At this time, we do not know what buses are running behind but will update you with that information as we obtain it. We ask for your patience as this situation unfolds."

As of 9:15 a.m., most students were dropped off but the district said some elementary school runs remained delayed.

Some district buses park in a lot adjacent to Downingtown Middle School, next to the bypass.

The district alerted parents and guardians to the delays through its automated system but district officials said they expected the school day to continue with a normal schedule.

The roadway finally reopened around 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The deadly crash remained under investigation.

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