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Michael Peterson Jr., originally of Hanover, most recently of Gettysburg, died from multiple blunt force trauma following a two-vehicle crash on Thursday, according to the Adam's County coroner's officer.
The deadly crash happened along Route 116/Hanover Road in Mount Pleasant Township around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, the Pennsylvania State Police explained.
Peterson Jr. had "failed to stop at a stop sign" and his white 2010 Chevrolet Malibu collided with a UPS semi-truck and spun around, while the trailer slammed into the utility pole, state police explained. Peterson was trapped in the vehicle and crews had to work together to extract him, United Hook & Ladder Company #33 explained.
The semi-driver was evaluated by EMS at the scene and suffered no injuries, according to PSP.
Peterson was taken to Gettysburg Hospital by WellSpan Well Flight 2-8, authorities said.
The highway was closed overnight, Thursday into Friday morning, while Met-Ed repaired the utility pole and transformer.
No autopsy will be conducted, and Peterson's death has been ruled as accidental, the coroner's office explained.
This was one of three crashes into utility poles along highways in South Central Pennsylvania within 15 hours, as Daily Voice previously reported.
Michael "Mikey" Peterson Jr., was a 2017 graduate of Hanover High School, according to a post by Hanover High School Class of 2017. Reading in part, "Michael was a kind soul who made everyone smile each day."
He began working as a machine operator at Leonhardt Manufacturing in March 2019, according to his Facebook profile.
Tributes continue to be posted by his community.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help his family through this difficult time.
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe campaign.
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