Accidents on I-81
Depending on where you live, you may have heard of an accident on I-81. The state highway runs through the northern part of Pennsylvania, and it can be a tricky road to navigate. However, there have been reports of accidents there recently, so if you are thinking about driving to one of the cities in the area, make sure to pay attention.
Sullivan County
Sullivan County, New York, is home to a two-car wreck that caused the kind of damage that could send you to the hospital. The wreck, which happened just before 5 a.m., involved a Chevrolet pickup, a Lexus SUV, and a Jeep Wrangler. Both vehicles sustained minor injuries and are currently awaiting the arrival of ambulances and helicopters to aid in their recovery. The accident has also caused a detour to the snoopiest of snoops.
The first vehicle to crash was a Chevrolet pickup, which had been traveling up an embankment. The second was a Lexus SUV, which had a front end that was hit by a Jeep Wrangler. The Lexus SUV also had the audacity to attempt a turn in the median of I-81. The tractor-trailer, on the other hand, tried to dodge the ensuing melee by crossing the median into the southbound lanes.
Schuylkill County
During a snow squall on Monday, a crash shut down Interstate 81 in the townships of Foster and Minersville. The crash involved at least 40 passenger vehicles and dozens of trucks, according to emergency management officials. Some vehicles were on fire during the crash. Several small fires also occurred along the highway, according to the Schuylkill County Office of Emergency Management.
The Pennsylvania State Police have released more details about the crash. The agency said it occurred during “an active snow squall” at about 10:30 a.m. It was between the Ravine and Pine Grove exits in Pine Grove Township.
The crash involved a tractor trailer and a large dump truck. The tractor trailer lost control, spinning 180 degrees before slamming into the dump truck. The driver was unknown at this time.
Dauphin County
During the day on Monday, March 5th, there was a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 81 in Lackawanna County. The crash involved a tanker truck carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel. The incident closed I-81 northbound to 67.4, but it reopened the next day.
It’s not clear why the tanker truck crashed. The driver is thought to have been the only one inside. After the accident, the tanker truck burst into flames. The blaze was reported to have been burning for 45 minutes. The incident was investigated by Luzerne County’s Emergency Management Agency.
The crash spawned multiple injuries. The incident is estimated to have hampered traffic in the Harrisburg area. The roadway was closed to motorists until midnight, but the reopening is expected to be a few hours later.
Franklin County
Several accidents have occurred on Interstate 81 in Franklin County this week. Two tractor trailers rolled over and crashed into each other on the same stretch of highway. There were no injuries reported, but the roadway is still closed.
The first accident happened just before noon on Wednesday. The southbound lanes of Interstate 81 were closed for hours after the crash. The truck hauling a trailer came loose around mile marker 19 and struck another tractor trailer. The driver of the trailer was able to escape without injuries, but the trailer came off the roadway and onto the interstate. The second crash occurred 20 minutes later.
An older model Ford F150 was pulling a trailer. The trailer traveled across the median of the highway and hit another tractor trailer. The trailer was later found to have been stolen from Stakes Auto in Fayetteville, PA.
Shenandoah County
Earlier today, there was a crash on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County, which snarled traffic for several hours. Virginia State Police responded to the scene, and the highway was closed in both directions. The Department of Transportation sent out a short email to drivers, but has yet to announce a reopening time.
The crash entailed a Ford F-150 hauling a small utility trailer, which collided with an embankment on the westbound side of the highway near Toms Brook. It was a relatively minor fender bender, with the flamable liquid contained in the tanker being the most notable hazard.
The Virginia State Police is investigating the crash, and is likely to release more information later today. In the meantime, drivers should expect significant delays in southern Augusta County, with some backups stretching a full mile or more.
