A Herndon man was killed Tuesday night after being violently ejected from his pickup truck during a single-vehicle crash in Northumberland County, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The deadly wreck happened along Route 147 in Jackson Township and remains under investigation.

State police from the Stonington barracks said the crash occurred around 7 p.m. on January 29 in the 6000 block of Route 147. Troopers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of a serious accident involving a single vehicle. When emergency crews arrived, they found the driver had been thrown a significant distance from the roadway.

Investigators identified the victim as Daniel Barnhart, 39, of Herndon. Police said Barnhart was driving a 2008 Ford F-150 when, for reasons that are still unknown, he lost control of the vehicle. The truck left the roadway and struck an embankment with significant force.

The impact caused Barnhart to be ejected through the rear window of the pickup, police said. First responders located him approximately 120 feet down the embankment from where the truck came to rest. Despite lifesaving efforts, Barnhart suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

State police noted that Barnhart was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Authorities often stress that seatbelts can significantly reduce the risk of ejection during a collision, which is one of the leading causes of death in traffic crashes. The violent nature of the impact underscores how quickly a loss of control can turn deadly.

The crash remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police as troopers work to determine what caused Barnhart to lose control of his vehicle. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and weather conditions at the time have not yet been cited as a factor. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact PSP Stonington. As the community mourns Barnhart’s death, authorities continue to remind drivers to wear seatbelts and exercise caution on rural roadways, especially during evening travel.