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Two from Montco killed in car crash

A 25-year-old Collegeville woman and 29-year-old man from Zieglerville drowned when the car in which they were riding backed into a canal in upper Montgomery County late Monday, prosecutors said.

A 25-year-old Collegeville woman and 29-year-old man from Zieglerville drowned when the car in which they were riding backed into a canal in upper Montgomery County late Monday, prosecutors said.

The district attorney's office is investigating the accident, which happened at the Schuylkill Canal Park in Upper Providence.

Two people, including the driver, escaped the car as it went into the canal, said First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele.

It was unclear why they were at the park at 11:30 Monday night. The site, near Lock 60 in the canal, is used mainly as a trail for biking and an access point to the water for canoeing and kayaking. Steele said the car had been parked along the road, and the accident happened as the 21-year-old male driver backed out of the parking area and backed into the canal. The car flipped over as it went into the water.

"We took blood from the driver that will be analyzed to determine whether any alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash, and we will also conduct a crash reconstruction," Steele said.

Lauren Ann Magargal, 25, of Collegeville, and Clinton Berger, 29, of Zieglerville, were identified as the two passengers who died. Autopsies determined the cause of their deaths was drowning.

The park is maintained by the county. It is popular for recreation, said Joyce Costello, of Charlestown, who often goes there in the morning to drink her coffee in the quiet.

Costello said the road, which runs next to the canal with no guardrail, can be difficult to see at night.

lmccrystal@phillynews.com

610-313-8116@Lmccrystal