Interstate 99 was the scene of a fatal accident yesterday at approximately 12:30 p.m.
One person was killed when their vehicle was crushed between a tanker-trailer and a tractor-trailer. Blair County Coroner Patricia Ross and Deputy Coroner Roger White were called in to help police identify the victim, but were unsuccessful in their attempt. They may need to use dental records to find out who the person is.
All three vehicles were traveling north on Interstate 99. A tanker-trailer driven by Joseph Marshall of Fayette, PA stopped for a backlog of traffic. The unidentifiable car also stopped behind the tanker-trailer. The tractor-trailer, driven by Hogo Ortiz of Milton, PA approached from the rear, struck the car from behind, and pushed it into the tanker-trailer.
Both the car and tractor-trailer were burned heavily and completely destroyed. The car was destroyed and so engulfed in flames that the license plate, vehicle number, and type of car it was could not be determined.
It was determined that the tanker-trailer was not hauling any hazardous material.
Both drivers of the tanker and tractor-trailers were able to escape any injuries. Police said there was no indication drugs or alcohol were to blame for this accident.
The northbound lane on Interstate 99 between the Tyrone and Bald Eagle exits was closed for several hours. All northbound traffic was diverted to Old Route 220 and Route 550.
The investigation is ongoing and once identification of the driver of the car is made, and notification is made to the family, the person’s identity will be released. Arrests are pending investigation on Ortiz.
