Minivan that killed 6 was 'unbalanced' before crash

Wed, May 14, 2008

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania State police say a minivan was "unbalanced" when the driver lost control and crashed, killing himself and five of six passengers on Interstate 90.

The crash happened about 4 p.m. Saturday about three miles from the Pennsylvania-Ohio border in Erie County.

The driver and passengers were all from India and were traveling from the Detroit area to Niagara Falls for vacation.

Police say a witness saw the van drift onto rumble strips along the side of the highway then swerve as the driver overcorrected. Police say the unequal weight distribution in the van contributed to the van crossing the median and hitting another car head-on.

The car's driver suffered only minor injuries.