Yet another horrible day on the highway of death: Series of crashes on Intestate 81 with Hazmat event

Tonight, Skook News is among those reporting information about a series of events that unfolded on Interstate 81 near Lebanon– a location that so often features tragic incidents and traffic problems for travelers..

Dozens of vehicles were involved in a crash on Interstate 81 in Lebanon County on Thursday afternoon.

As of 9:30pm, the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 were closed at Exit 90 and the westbound lanes of Interstate 78 were close at the Lebanon/Berks County line.

According to the State Police, three crashes occurred Thursday afternoon in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 and westbound Interstate 78 involving over 30 vehicles.

Police say 13 vehicles were involved in the first crash, 13 vehicles in the second involving 7 tractor trailers.  A third crash involved 8 more vehicles.

A coach bus out of Ephrata carrying 30 passengers was also part of the crash.

Pennlive reports that as of 9:50 p.m., hazmat teams were still on scene, trying to pump away fuel spills from the tractor-trailers involved in the crashes, according to PennDOT Spokeswoman Fritzi Schreffler.

Once the hazmat teams are done, there will still be additional debris clean-up, so the road is not expected to reopen before 12:30 a.m. Friday.

We have reported our thoughts before about Interstate 81.. So often it feels like the highway to the danger zone.
Today being no different..