Patricio S. Correa Serrano was driving down Interstate 380 South through Monroe County on Wednesday afternoon when his routine trip came to an abrupt, violent stop. The 43-year-old Belleville, New Jersey resident was traveling near mile marker 4.3 around 2:16 p.m. when another vehicle slammed directly into the rear of his car.
The force of the rear-end impact instantly knocked Correa Serrano’s vehicle off course. Police said his car was forced off the right side of the interstate, crossing onto the paved shoulder before tumbling down a steep, grassy embankment.
The unguided car continued moving downhill until it struck a tree at the bottom of the embankment. First responders rushed to the scene shortly after receiving emergency calls, but the damage from the collision proved too severe.
Emergency crews attempted life-saving measures right on the highway shoulder. Despite their efforts, Correa Serrano sustained fatal injuries from the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene by local medical officials.
The fatal wreck brought southbound traffic on I-380 to a complete standstill near the crash site for hours. Pennsylvania State Police troopers shut down the area around mile marker 4.3 to preserve evidence and reconstruct the events leading up to the collision.
Friends and neighbors back in Belleville knew Correa Serrano as a regular guy who was just going about his daily routine. His sudden death turned what should have been a standard drive into a devastating loss for his home community in Essex County.
State police troopers are continuing their investigation into why the trailing vehicle hit Correa Serrano’s car from behind. Investigators have not yet publicly released details about the driver of the second vehicle or potential charges.
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