Tractor trailer crashes into SUVs during fire scene on Highway 81

Mechanesburg, Pennsylvania (WHTM) — A tractor-trailer collided with a parked SUV during an active fire scene on Interstate 81 South in Middlesex Township onriday.

According to the New Kingstownire Company, units were dispatched at 8:41 p.m. to Highway 81 South in the 52nd mile area for a turf fire.

New Kingstownire Company Chief Hall and Middlesex Township Chief Beam north of Exit 52 responded at an emergency rate with warning lights and sirens activating. The closest intersection to the dispatched location is approximately the 54.6 mile marker which is a paved surface to allow emergency vehicles to turn and proceed in the opposite direction.

Both leaders entered the crossing at about 8:53 p.m. and were waiting for southbound traffic to stop.

That’s when a large SUV stopped in the left lane. A trailer tractor in the same lane was unable to stop and attempted to evade to move into the right lane when it hit the right rear of the SUV, forcing it forward. Then the trailer hit the tractor in the middle of the lawn with the left front axle damaged.

Mayor of Middlesex Beam blocked all traffic as there was debris from the accident covering the lanes. Chief Hall of New Kingstownire Company checked the occupants of both the SUV and the trailer and no injuries were reported in either vehicle.

The fire company states that EMS soon arrived to double-check that no one needed to be taken to the hospital.

Once the lanes of travel were clear and the fire police could control the flow of traffic, one lane of traffic was allowed to flow through the scene.

The Pennsylvania State Police in Carlisle handled the investigation of the crash.