Local News
Elisa Plancarte Dies After Vehicle Crashes Into Building on Hampden Boulevard in Reading
READING, Pa. — A 38-year-old woman has died following a serious motor vehicle crash earlier this week in the City of Reading, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.
The victim has been identified as Elisa Laura Plancarte, a resident of Maidencreek Township.
Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel confirmed that his office was notified at 9:52 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, by medical staff at Tower Health/Reading Hospital that Plancarte had been pronounced deceased at 9:46 a.m.
Authorities say the crash occurred on Sunday, April 26, at approximately 2:10 a.m. A vehicle traveling along Hampden Boulevard struck a building located at 1820 Hampden Blvd., between Bern Street and College Avenue.
Plancarte was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the collision and became trapped inside the wreckage due to the severity of the impact.
Emergency responders from the Reading Fire Department extricated her from the vehicle before she was transported by Reading EMS to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Despite continued care, Plancarte later succumbed to her injuries.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at 9:00 a.m. at Tower Health/Reading Hospital.
The examination will be conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Neil Hoffman to determine the official cause and manner of death.
The Berks County Coroner’s Office is continuing its investigation with assistance from the Reading Police Department.
Additional details may be released as the investigation progresses.
Local News
Leah Levy Among Two Skydivers Killed in Midair Collision During Landing Near Lake Elsinore, California
LAKE ELSINORE, California — Two experienced skydivers, including Leah Levy, died after their parachutes became entangled during a midair collision while they were preparing to land at a skydiving event in Southern California on Friday.
The fatal accident occurred at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, where two licensed and experienced skydivers were participating in an organized skydiving event.
According to a statement from Skydive Elsinore, the collision happened at approximately 150 feet above the ground as the two participants were approaching the landing area.
Both skydivers suffered critical injuries and were transported to a local hospital. They were later pronounced dead.
Skydive Elsinore said the initial stages of the jump, including the free-fall portion and parachute deployment, proceeded normally.
However, as the two skydivers prepared to land, they collided in midair at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, or about 46 meters, above the ground.
The impact caused their parachutes to become entangled, leaving both participants unable to complete their landings safely.
“The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground,” the company said in a statement.
The Riverside County Fire Department reported that both skydivers suffered traumatic injuries in the incident.
Emergency responders transported them to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite receiving medical attention, both later died from their injuries.
One of the victims was identified in the supplied information as Leah Levy. The second skydiver’s identity has not been provided.
Skydive Elsinore confirmed that both individuals were licensed and experienced skydivers participating in the organized event.
The company said the collision occurred during the final approach to landing, after the free fall and parachute-opening stages had reportedly gone normally.
The incident resulted in the deaths of both participants.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision and any subsequent investigation have not been provided in the available information.