Keenan Cryts, 23, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, died late Sunday, May 24, 2026, after a suspected DUI crash in Bernville, Berks County. He was a passenger in a Tesla sedan that struck a tree along Bernville Road (State Route 183), just north of North 4th Street.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:56 a.m. when the Tesla, driven southbound by a 23‑year‑old Pottsville man, crossed into the northbound lane and collided with a tree. Emergency responders from local fire and EMS units arrived quickly, finding Cryts severely injured. He was transported to Reading Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 11:19 p.m. that same day.
Pennsylvania State Police at Reading confirmed that the driver is suspected of operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities noted that the driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, while Cryts was not restrained, which may have contributed to the severity of his injuries.
The Berks County Coroner’s Office and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office joined state police in the investigation. As of May 25, the driver’s name had not been released publicly, and no charges had yet been filed. Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and will include toxicology results and a full reconstruction of the crash.
The crash site on Bernville Road near North 4th Street is a residential corridor that has seen multiple serious accidents in recent years. Local residents have raised concerns about speeding and impaired driving along the route, which connects Bernville Borough to surrounding communities in Berks County.
Cryts’ death has left his family and friends grieving the sudden loss of a young man whose life was cut short. Tributes have begun appearing on social media, with loved ones remembering him as kind‑hearted and full of potential. The tragedy has renewed calls for stronger enforcement against impaired driving in Pennsylvania, as officials continue their investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
