NEW VERNON TWP., Pa. - One woman is dead and a man seriously injured following a traffic accident that shut down part of Interstate 79 in Mercer County overnight.

State Police say 18-year-old Mateo Guajardo of Pittsburgh lost control of the minivan as he was driving south on I-79 in New Vernon Township just after 8 p.m. Friday.

The minivan struck an embankment, landing in the northbound lane where it was struck on the passenger side by an oncoming pickup truck. Police say the minivan’s lights had gone out when it was struck.

Both vehicles landed off the highway.

A passenger in the minivan, 19-year-old Danielle Duncan of Pittsburgh, died in the crash.  Guarado was taken to Allegheny Hospital in Grove City with serious injuries.

The driver of the pickup truck wasn’t injured.

The northbound lanes of Interstate 79 were closed from the Route 62 / Mercer / Franklin Exit to the Route 358 exit while the crash was being investigated.