State Police Hamburg responded to a fatal crash early on Tuesday, March 31 on Interstate 78 in Greenwich Township. Berks.
After striking the center barrier, a Hyundai Elantra had become disabled on the left shoulder partially blocking the left lane on I-78 at mile marker 41.2 westbound Greenwich Township at about 4:25 a.m. The driver, Gene Scholler, 46, Kutztown, was standing outside of his vehicle. A Freightliner truck tractor with trailer was travelling behind the Elantra and stopped momentarily behind the car.
A Kenworth truck tractor with trailer was travelling behind the Freightliner and the driver was unable to avoid striking the right rear trailer of the Freightliner truck. This impact pushed the Freightliner truck into the rear passenger side of the Elantra.
After impact the Elantra continued west and swerved into the right lane and overturned onto the passenger side partially on the center concrete barrier. The Elantra was blocking both lanes. There was a small fire in the engine compartment of the Elantra. The fire was put out by other drivers who stopped at the scene, according to a State Police report.
Both truck drivers were transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital (Cedar Crest).
The driver of the Kenworth truck died as a result of the accident. Police have not released a name.
The driver of the Freightliner truck, Diomedes Encarnacion, 31, Allentown, sustained moderate injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Police were assisted by Kutztown and Weisenberg Fire Companies along with Kutztown EMS.
