UPDATE: New details about the victim, a prominent Democrat in Chester County. Details HERE.
One person was killed and several others were hurt in a multi-vehicle crash Saturday that caused a fiery explosion on Route 202 in West Goshen Township, Chester County and shut down the highway in both directions for hours.
The accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. on Route 202 at South Matlack Street and involved nine vehicles, including a tractor trailer hauling frozen turkeys. The tractor trailer flipped onto its side and exploded into a ball of flames, with smoke that could be seen for miles.
Malvern resident Adam Harrison Swope, 38, was killed when the truck slammed into his car, police said.
"When the black smoke started coming up you started to see people run from all directions," said Amanda Quigley, who witnessed the crash while she was driving home with her two children from the Amish market. "People were getting out of their cars."
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Quigley called 911 and then tried to drive away as far as possible from the fiery wreckage. While she and her children made it home safely, she's still shaken by what she saw.
"It's upsetting," she said. "It's very upsetting. I feel very grateful that myself and my children are okay. But it's sad."
Neighbors say there have been several deadly accidents on the stretch of Route 202 where Saturday's crash occurred.
"This is the only stretch on 202 that has the traffic light for miles before you hit up toward Delaware," said George Dean. "But I think the speed limit needs to be lowered."
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has video or photographs is asked to contact the West Goshen Police Department traffic safety division at 610-696-7400 or email trafficsafety@westgoshen.org.
