Pa. police misidentified crash victim

A "News in Brief" item yesterday wrongly identified a man who died early Tuesday in an accident on the Girard Point Bridge. It was based on incorrect information supplied by the Pennsylvania State Police. The man killed was Michael Skinner, 22, of Sharon Hill, the state police acknowledged yesterday.

According to Mr. Skinner's father, Michael Skinner Sr., the younger Skinner was driving a Kia Sportage, a compact SUV, that was struck by a tractor-trailer shortly after 1 a.m. Dec. 16.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was Brian D. Kozak, 48, of Stroudsburg, Pa. In a news release, state police had identified Kozak as the driver of a Kia Spectra, a sedan, and said he "died on the scene as a result of the crash." Kozak had only minor injuries.

Michael Skinner graduated from Eastern University in May and was working as a substitute teacher at Lakeside School in North Wales, said his father. He also is survived by brothers Montai and Marquis. His mother, Sabrina, died in 2006.

A viewing for Mr. Skinner will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, 4701 Lancaster Ave., with a service to follow at 11.