A tanker truck from the White Mills Fire Department crashed on December 20, 2025, in Paupack Township while responding to a structure fire near Lakeville, according to the Honesdale barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police.

The crash occurred on Owego Turnpike when the operator failed to negotiate a left-hand turn, left the roadway, struck a utility pole, and continued into a ditch. NEPA News previously reported on the structure fire near Lakeville to which the apparatus was responding.

Link: Fire Destroys Lakeville Home | NEPA News

State police say a four-year-old child was riding as a passenger in the tanker at the time of the crash. The child was listed as sustaining suspected minor injuries and notes the child was wearing a lap belt at the time of the crash.

The operator of the tanker was identified as Shane Farrell of Hawley. Multiple citations were initially filed in connection with the crash, including reckless driving, careless driving, driving at safe speed, disregard of traffic lanes, and failure to keep right. Court dockets show that approximately one week later, those citations were withdrawn.

NEPA News reached out to the Pennsylvania State Police on two occasions seeking comment on the incident, the reason the charges were withdrawn, and whether any additional charges were pending, but did not receive a response.

A witness who requested anonymity told NEPA News that both the operator and the child were picked up from the scene by a third party before State Police and EMS arrived. The witness said they smelled alcohol on the operator following the crash. Available State Police records do not indicate whether alcohol was involved.

State police records show the operator was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital by a friend for suspected minor injuries.

In response to multiple inquiries from NEPA News, the White Mills Fire Department said, “It was handled in accordance to the state police investigation. There was disciplinary action taken. We have no further comment.”

NEPA News will continue to follow this story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.