State police investigate three deaths

BLOOMING GROVE - Pennsylvania State Police last week reported investigations of three Pike County deaths. On Sept. 8, at about 7 p.m., Daniel Luzier, 20 of Hawley, died at the scene of a one-car accident on Westcolang Road near Fawn Lake, in Lackawaxen Township. Police said Luzier apparently lost control of a 1997 Chevy Cavalier, which left the road, rolled over and struck a tree. Two other passengers, Timothy Evans, 16, of Hawley and Frank Spinelli, 18, of Rowland were injured. Evans was treated and released at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. Spinelli was admitted at the hospital, police said. According to police, speed appears to have played a major factor in the accident. The Blooming Grove state police criminal investigation unit is investigating the Sept. 9 death of Kevin Michael Kotcher, of Milford. Police said Kotcher was found dead at his Hebula Road residence in the early afternoon. While Kotcher’s death did not appear suspicious initially, the investigation is continuing. State police said an autopsy was scheduled following the Sept. 10 death of Joan Phylis Lutz, 76, of Newfoundland. State police were called to the Pine Grove Road residence following her death. Lutz was reported to be under a physician’s care and suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for the past 10 years. Troopers are also investigating a Sept. 11 bomb threat at the Lehman Intermediate School on Bushkill Falls Road. State police and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department bomb disposal unit were called after an 11:17 a.m. call was made to the school warning of a bomb in the building. The call was determined to have originated within the school, police said. The school and East Stroudsburg North High School were evacuated during the investigation and area search. No device was found.