Troopers release info on fiery I-81 crash
FOSTER TWP. – Two people were hurt when a tractor trailer, struck by another tractor trailer, effectively exploded Monday on Interstate 81.
The crash happened around 9:00am at mile marker 113.5 northbound, troopers said.
A 2019 Freightliner Cascadia, driven by Andre Johnson, College Station, Texas, was stopped along the right-hand shoulder, disabled with a flat left front tire, with safety triangles deployed.
A service truck was parked in front of that truck as the occupant, Mark Hoy, 53, of Pottsville, was changing the flat tire, and Hoy placed cones to partially close the right lane.
When the crash happened, Hoy had finished changing the tire and was gathering his equipment.
Another Freightliner Cascadia, a 2021, approached the scene, driven by 66-year-old Marc McDonough, of Dundalk, Maryland.
That truck slowed as he approached, but was unable to slow enough, troopers said, and McDonough swerved right and struck the rear of Johnson’s trailer.
The fuel tank on Johnson’s Freightliner exploded, engulfing the two trucks in flames.
Johnson’s truck was pushed forward by the impact, striking Hoy and throwing him 25 feet.
Hoy suffered a head injury as a result of the strike.
McDonough was able to escape the burning wreckage, but suffered injuries of an unknown extent.
He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Schuylkill – East Norwegian Street by Minersville Ambulance, while Hoy was taken to the same place by Schuylkill EMS.
McDonough’s truck completely burned to the ground, troopers said, as did the trailer of Johnson’s truck.
I-81 Northbound at Exit 112 was closed until 7:00pm that day.
Troopers said McDonough will be cited for speeding.
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