Geisinger Hospital confirmed in a statement that it was treating more than 15 patients, including four in critical condition. State police were called to the area near the Department of Toxicology bar in Berwick about 6:15 Saturday afternoon, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski told reporters. Police said a vehicle “drove through the crowd at a community event”. Troopers then received a call about a man allegedly assaulting a woman in neighboring Nescopeck County, Petroski said. He said officers arrived to find a woman dead at the scene. Officers arrested the man, who they said was a suspect in both incidents, police said. Police have not identified the suspect or detailed possible charges. Petroski said investigators are determining whether the suspect intentionally drove the car into the crowd. “These investigations are very active,” police said in a statement. Reliance Fire Company No. 1, which serves Berwick, said crews were at the scene of a “mass casualty incident” at the bar on Saturday night. “Please avoid the area as this is an ongoing incident and will be for some time,” the fire company said on Facebook. The bar was hosting a benefit for the families affected by a deadly house fire in Nescopeck earlier this month. Ten people, including three children, were killed in the fiery blaze on August 5, while three adults managed to get out safely. The cause of the fire that destroyed the house is being investigated. The restaurant where the event was taking place issued a statement on its Facebook page. “Today has been an absolute tragedy. We will be closed until further notice. Please respect our privacy as we grieve and try to process the events that occurred. Thank you,” the statement said. Darren J. Reynolds contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
