More than a day after a New Castle couple died in a two-vehicle crash in Shenango Township, police still had no explanation for why the driver of the SUV that hit their car head-on was traveling the wrong way on state Route 60.

Police said Thursday that Joseph C. Stemple, 41, of Bethlehem, Pa., was driving his sport utility vehicle northbound in the southbound lanes at 5:08 p.m. Wedneday, when the SUV hit the car carrying Donald R. Romanio Jr. and his wife Norma, of 521 E. Meyer Ave.

Mrs. Romanio, 73, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6 p.m. by Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle III. She died of chest trauma, according to McGonigle's office. Police said Romanio, 69, who was driving, died later in St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown.

Stemple was reported in stable condition Wednesday at St. E's.

Shenango Township police were assisted by state troopers and Neshannock Township and New Wilmington police and New Wilmington, Shenango Township and Pulaski volunteer firefighters.