Cogan Metzger Obituary, Death – A tragic motorcycle accident in Loyalsock Township claimed the life of a young man on Wednesday night, according to the Lycoming County Coroner’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police.
The victim was identified as 21-year-old Cogan Metzger, a resident of the Warrensville Road area. Authorities reported that the fatal crash took place around 9:15 p.m. at the intersection of East Third Street and Old Montoursville Road. Metzger had just exited Interstate 180 East at the Warrensville Road off-ramp when he allegedly ran a red light at the intersection, leading to a collision with a sport utility vehicle (SUV).
The SUV was driven by a 66-year-old man whose name has not yet been made public. Police said the driver attempted to avoid the crash by taking evasive measures, but despite his efforts, a collision was unavoidable. Fortunately, he was not injured in the incident.
Metzger, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was thrown a short distance from his motorcycle due to the impact. According to state police, emergency response was swift. A trooper and two individuals—either witnesses to the crash or passersby who arrived shortly afterward—immediately rendered aid. They began life-saving efforts, including chest compressions, at the scene.
Emergency medical personnel arrived quickly and transported Metzger in an ambulance to UPMC Williamsport. Despite all efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m. A deputy coroner confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
As a result of the crash, officials temporarily closed the I-180 East exit ramp and shut down East Third Street from Warrensville Road to Old Montoursville Road. The closure lasted about three hours while investigators thoroughly documented the scene and collected evidence related to the collision.
State troopers returned to the site the following morning to continue their investigation. No charges have been announced, and further details, including the identity of the SUV driver, are expected to be released in the coming days as the investigation progresses.
This accident underscores the dangers of intersections and the critical importance of obeying traffic signals. The sudden loss of a young life has deeply affected the community, as friends, family, and first responders grapple with the tragedy. Authorities have not released any information regarding whether speed, distraction, or other contributing factors played a role in the incident, but their ongoing investigation aims to provide a clearer picture of what led to the fatal collision.
In the meantime, law enforcement officials continue to urge all drivers—whether in vehicles or on motorcycles—to remain vigilant on the road, especially when navigating busy intersections.