Identity released on driver killed in high speed crash

MARION TOWNSHIP, PA – State police say a South Dakota man lost his life in a high speed incident on Interstate 80 just after 8 p.m. Wednesday. Police on Thursday identified the victim as Daryl J. Gakin, 34, from Spearfish, SD.

Lamar state police said the incident began in Lamar Township, Clinton County, at mile-marker 178 and ended a short while later at mile-marker 165.7 in Marion Township, Centre County.

The police report said a trooper initiated a traffic stop on the westbound lanes but Gakin failed to stop and continued to flee at a high rate of speed. Police said the speeding vehicle, a 2004 Nissan Titan, exited the roadway and struck the end of a guiderail; it then rolled over numerous times, coming to a stop off the roadway.

The driver was found outside the vehicle and pronounced dead by medical personnel. Police said the use of drugs/alcohol was suspected in the crash and he had not been wearing a seatbelt.