LAKE ARIEL, PA — The Office of the Wayne County Coroner was dispatched to the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision the morning of Friday, June 12 at the intersection of Hamlin Highway (State Route 590) and Mellon Rd., Salem Township, Lake Ariel.

Mark M. James, Chief Deputy Coroner, responded to the scene to perform a death investigation. A male was pronounced dead at the scene at 0723 Hours by Chief Deputy James. The decedent was identified as Mr. Kyle J. BABERNITSH, who had been the driver of a SUV that left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. A male
passenger of the SUV had been transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, 15 June 2026. Pennsylvania State Police at Honesdale are also investigating. This is an ongoing investigation. No further details
are available at this time.