Tractor Trailer, Vehicle Crash Causes Major Backups On Turnpike
PLUM BOROUGH (KDKA) -- A crash involving a tractor trailer and a vehicle caused major backups on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Saturday morning.
It happened in the westbound lanes of the Turnpike between Monroeville and Allegheny Valley just before 5 a.m.
State police say a car was stopped on the north berm near mile post 54.4. A tractor trailer was travelling westbound in the right-hand lane when the car's 30-year-old driver pulled into the right-hand lane from the berm.
The tractor trailer rear-ended the car, sending the car west along the north berm and a hillside. The car then rolled onto its roof facing south, blocking both lanes of traffic. The tractor trailer continued to travel west and came to a stop facing west along the north berm.
The 30-year-old driver was sent to Forbes Regional Hospital in critical condition.
The Turnpike was closed at the Pittsburgh exit for about six hours. Drivers had to exit at Monroeville and get back on the Turnpike at Allegheny Valley.
Traffic was backed up for two and a half miles, and drivers who were already on the Turnpike at the time of the crash were turned around since the scene of the crash was not cleared until around 11:30 a.m.
An accident investigation was requested.
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