Man Charged in Connection with Fiery Crash That Claimed Life of 25-Year-Old in Clearfield Count

Man Charged in Connection with Fiery Crash That Claimed Life of 25-Year-Old in Clearfield County

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — After an extensive, months-long investigation, Pennsylvania State Police have filed charges in connection with a deadly and fiery crash that claimed the life of a young man earlier this year in Clearfield County.

According to investigators, 28-year-old Daniel Collier, of Osceola Mills, now faces multiple charges after authorities determined he was intoxicated and driving at a high rate of speed when his vehicle veered off the road and slammed into a tree in Morris Township in early August.

The crash, which occurred in the early morning hours, was described by first responders as catastrophic. Upon arrival, troopers and emergency crews found the vehicle engulfed in flames. Tragically, the passenger — a 25-year-old man whose name has not been released pending family notification — did not survive the collision. Collier sustained injuries in the wreck and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

As the investigation unfolded, state police reconstructed the scene and conducted a series of forensic and toxicology analyses. Authorities say the results confirmed their suspicions that alcohol and excessive speed played major roles in the fatal crash. According to the official crash report, Collier lost control of his vehicle on a curved section of the roadway before striking a tree with significant force, causing the car to ignite almost immediately upon impact.

Following months of investigation, troopers with the Clearfield County barracks formally charged Collier with a series of serious offenses, including:

• Homicide by vehicle while DUI

• Driving under the influence of alcohol

• Reckless driving

• Involuntary manslaughter

• And other related traffic violations.

Authorities emphasized that the case serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly consequences of impaired and reckless driving.

“This tragic loss was entirely preventable,” a state police spokesperson said in a statement. “One young man’s life has been cut short, and another now faces the lifelong burden of knowing his decisions caused irreversible harm. We urge drivers to think before they get behind the wheel — even one bad decision can destroy lives.”

The community has been deeply affected by the loss, with friends and loved ones of the victim sharing heartfelt tributes on social media, describing him as a kind-hearted, hardworking, and genuine person who brought light to those around him.

Meanwhile, Collier is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks. The Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office has stated that it will pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law, citing the devastating nature of the crash and the recklessness involved.

As the investigation now transitions into the court phase, the victim’s family continues to mourn, calling for accountability and hoping that justice will help bring some measure of peace amid unimaginable grief.

This tragic incident stands as yet another painful reminder of how quickly a single moment of poor judgment on the road can alter countless lives forever.