UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. - A truck driver and a motorist pushing his damaged car off the highway died early Monday on Interstate 78 in a crash that closed a portion of the road for hours, the Lehigh County coroner said.
It happened at 4:44 a.m. in the eastbound lanes at mile marker 61.6, between the Route 145 and Hellertown exits.
Two tractor-trailers were involved in the crash, as well as the damaged vehicle, according to the coroner.
Four other people were taken to local hospitals, state police said.
The pedestrian who died was among three people pushing a Toyota Sienna from the right lane, according to state police. That victim, who was struck by a tractor-trailer, has yet to be identified.
The truck driver killed was identified as Nicholas James Bolotine, 30, of East Cocalico Township.
Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said Bolotine’s rig struck another tractor-trailer.
Both men died of multiple blunt force injuries, according to the coroner's office. Buglio ruled the manner of death in both cases as accidental.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 8 a.m.
Three others were taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill and a fourth person was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, state police said.
The highway's eastbound lanes reopened about 11 a.m., state police said.
State police at Fogelsville ask that witnesses of the crash, or anyone who may have video, contact the Fogelsville barracks at 610-395-1438 and reference Incident Number PA24-1589849.
