Pennsylvania

Deadly Crash, Involving FedEx Tractor-Trailer, Closes Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania

A deadly multiple-vehicle crash involving a FedEx double tractor-trailer closed a major Pennsylvania interstate Tuesday morning.

The wreck near mile-marker 41.2 in Greenwich Township -- near the line between Berks and Lehigh counties, which included another big rig and a car, closed westbound Interstate 78 between Exit 40 (Pennsylvania Route 737) and Exit 45 (Pennsylvania Route 863) around 4:25 a.m., said Pennsylvania State Police.

About two hours later, the wreckage remained on the roadway, one FedEx truck on its side -- part of the trailer torn away. A body could be seen in the roadway.

Police said drivers extinguished a small fire inside the cabin of that truck.

An initial investigation revealed that Gene Scholler of Kutztown, Pennsylvania left his Hyundai Elantra after it struck the center barrier and became disabled partially in the left lane. A tractor-trailer driven by Diomedes Encarnacion of Allentown, Pennsylvania stopped just before the disabled car. A second big rig however couldn't stop and plowed into both other vehicles.

The force of the wreck caused the FedEx big rig to overturn onto all lanes of traffic and partially on the center barrier.

Medics rushed the unidentified driver of the FedEx truck to Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest where he later died. Doctors at the hospital treated Encarnacion -- who was wearing a seat belt -- for minor injuries. Scholler wasn't hurt.

NBC10 traffic reporter Christine Maddela reported all lanes were closed. Traffic also slowed in the other direction as people looked at the crash.

I took police nearly eight hours to investigate, clear the wreckage and reopen to roadway.

No word yet if anyone will be charged.

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