Centre Co, PA (June 21, 2023) – Three persons were killed in two connected accidents on I-80 in Centre County on Tuesday morning, June 20.
Just after midnight, emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle incident involving injuries and entrapment at mile marker 156 in the westbound lanes.
According to a report provided by state police, a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle containing three individuals were involved in a crash on the highway. The vehicle stopped on the shoulder, and the tractor-trailer stopped down an embankment.
Then, a second tractor-trailer crashed into the passenger vehicle, ejecting two occupants while trapping the third inside. At the scene, authorities pronounced all three people in the vehicle dead. Troopers also reported that a good Samaritan who had stopped to assist after the first collision had been struck by the passenger vehicle that the second tractor-trailer had struck. After suffering critical injuries, they were airlifted to UPMC Altoona.
The second tractor-trailer driver was also sent to the hospital after his vehicle turned over. According to reports, the first tractor-trailer driver suffered just minor injuries.
An investigation into the incident continues.
We want to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased victims. Our thoughts are with the injured victims in hopes of their full recovery.
Fatal Vehicle Accidents in Pennsylvania
In just one recent year, rear-end collisions were the second most common accident involving at least two or more Pennsylvania drivers. Needless to say, every motorist should be extra cautious on Pennsylvania’s highways, where more than 20,000 incidents involving several cars occur each year in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth.
What’s more, reckless or careless driving nearly always leads to these collisions. Drivers that disobey the rules of the road, such as stop signs, are the main cause of rear-end collisions in Pennsylvania. In some circumstances, it is clear who is at blame in a rear-end collision, but in others, the events leading up to the crash aren’t quite as obvious.
When another vehicle strikes you from behind, the degree of your injuries is primarily determined by the other vehicle’s speed at contact. Most rear-end collisions occur when one motorist suddenly brakes, causing the vehicle behind them to slam into them.
Still, catastrophic injuries may occur even when fender benders occur at modest speeds. For example, the seat reclines automatically when the seat belt is fastened. If you hit your seat or headrest while driving too fast for current conditions, it might have severe consequences, some of which may not manifest for hours or days.
But it’s important to contact an attorney immediately if you were not at fault for an accident in which you sustained significant injuries. Even if a vehicle accident victim is permanently incapacitated due to their injuries, an insurance company may hunt for loopholes to avoid paying for long-term care or lost income and earning potential.
Thankfully, our seasoned team at Spear Greenfield will assist you in and out of court, whether in Philadelphia or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, to settle your losses from an accident that’s taken place through no fault of your own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident in Pennsylvania, call us at (215) 600-0681. We will connect you with our attorneys, who are knowledgeable in Pennsylvania law. We will strive to create a strong, convincing case for you as our valued client through every step of the claim process.
Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, local and state police incident reports, social media platforms, as well as eyewitness accounts, about serious accidents that take place in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, please contact Spear Greenfield Personal Injury Attorneys as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most accurate information available. A post will be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information contained in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
