At least one person is dead following a late-night crash along Interstate 279.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — One person is dead following a late-night crash involving a tractor trailer along Interstate 279.
Pennsylvania State Police say the victim was in his 30s and was driving the car involved. Police also said that the impact was so intense that the tractor trailer itself was damaged, which they say is rare.
(Photo Credit: KDKA)
According to state police, the driver of the car was traveling the wrong way in the northbound lane of I-279. The tractor trailer, which was a Pepsi truck, was traveling northbound.
It was around midnight when the two crashed head-on.
“Struck each other head-on,” State Police Tpr. Melinda Bondarenka said.
Watch as KDKA’s Lindsay Ward provides the latest updates:
The car was crushed underneath the tractor-trailer.
“After impact, the vehicle at fault caught fire. The operator of the semi-trailer was able to get out and extinguish that fire,” said Tpr. Bondarenka.
(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer)
I-279 was closed for several hours overnight, forcing early-morning drivers to take detours. It finally reopened around 6 a.m.
At this time, state police say they do not know if speed or alcohol was a factor.
As for the driver of the Pepsi truck, he’s expected to recover.
“Was transported to a local area hospital with minor injury,” Tpr. Bondarenka said.
At this point, it’s being investigated as to why the driver of that blue car was traveling the wrong way.
Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.
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