A “reckless” game involving two cars full of teenagers passing in tandem at speeds of 80 mph in a no-passing zone Sunday left two area teens hospitalized and shut down State Route 285 for several hours, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Emergency personnel were called at 7:05 p.m. to the scene of the accident on Route 285, approximately 1.5 miles west of Church Road in North Shenango Township, where Trooper Daniel Istik reported a vehicle driven by Thomas Eakin, 18, of Meadville, attempted to overtake a vehicle in the westbound lane. Istik said Eakin’s driver side fender struck the passenger fender and door area of a second vehicle, driven by a 16-year-old Espyville man, causing him to lose control and slide sideways down the road. The vehicle, which Istik estimated was traveling in excess of 80 mph, traveled out-of-control for 330 feet, during which it hit a mailbox and traveled into a ditch where it struck a culvert. Impact with the culvert caused the vehicle to “go airbound” and roll several times, Istik said.

The Espyville driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected as the vehicle rolled down Route 285. He was transported by Conneaut Lake Ambulance to the Port Meadville Airport and then flown via Lifestar helicopter to Hamot Medical Center in Erie. Police did not release his name because he is a juvenile, so it was not possible to check his status in the hospital. However, Istik said he appeared to be stable, but had injuries that included a possible collapsed lung and multiple broken ribs. He also sustained multiple cuts and abrasions from the pavement.

Two passengers inside the 16-year-old’s 2000 Nissan Quest van, Michael Monahan, 18, of Meadville, and Casey Blood, 18, of Conneaut Lake, were also not wearing seatbelts and sustained injuries. Blood was transported by Pymatuning Ambulance to Meadville Medical Center and released. Monahan suffered minor injuries but refused treatment by medical personnel at the scene.

Following impact, Eakin reportedly brought his vehicle to a controlled stop; he and two juvenile passengers inside his 2000 Dodge Neon were wearing seatbelts and were not injured.

Istik, who described the drivers’ behavior as “careless and reckless,” said he is working with the Crawford County District Attorney’s Office and that charges are forthcoming against both drivers in the incident.

Assisting at the scene were Andover-Pymatuning Ambulance Service, Linesville Volunteer Fire Department, Conneaut Lake Area Ambulance Service, Smitty’s Towing and Lifestar.

Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.