Victims identified in Route 33 tractor-trailer crash

HAMILTON TWP., Pa. - Three people were killed on Route 33 in Monroe County on Wednesday in a five-vehicle crash involving two tractor-trailers, state police said.

Among them was Samantha Crich, 40, of Wilkes-Barre. Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said Crich died Wednesday at Lehigh Valley Health Network - Cedar Crest campus of multiple blunt force injuries caused by the crash.

Bryan Franco, 25, of Hellertown also was killed in the accident. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac said Friday the cause and manner of Franco's death will be determined after Yanac sees the police report of the incident.

Yanac said the name of the third victim, a 14-year-old female from Wilkes-Barre, will not be identified due to her age.

The accident happened around 10:35 a.m. when a southbound tractor-trailer crashed through the center guard rail and entered the northbound lanes, said Trooper Anthony Petroski.

• The crash happened shortly after 10:30 a.m., near Saylorsburg
• State police said five vehicles, including two tractor-trailers, were involved
• Three people were killed

Another rig and three passenger vehicles headed north collided with the tractor-trailer at mile marker 20.6, near the Saylorsburg exit.

The driver in one vehicle died at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono, while a front seat passenger in the same vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the final passenger vehicle hit by the tractor-trailer died at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest.

The northbound lanes were closed for hours Wednesday as Pennsylvania State Police forensics and accident reconstruction teams investigated.

"Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the victims," Petroski said on Twitter.

State police said the investigation remains active and may take some time.