A fast moving weather system created a brief “white-out” condition during which the driver of a westbound truck tractor/semi trailer lost control and jackknifed. That truck was followed by numerous other westbound vehicles, which failed to slow down or stop because they were traveling too fast with limited visibility…resulting in the chain-reaction crash.
It has been 10 weeks since the crash on Interstate 80 claimed six lives. Since then, a major case team (the investigating trooper, a patrol corporal and a collission analysis and reconstruction specialist) have spent a majority of their time documenting the 42-vehicle crash.
The basic report is finished and has been reviews by state police supervisors. Eventually, the report will be sent to the state Department of Transportation where employees will extract information for statistical review.
The Penna. Vehicle code, section 3751 dictates that any traffic crash report can only be made available to: any person involved in the crash, his or her attorney, his or her insurer, the federal government, state agencies and officials of political subdivisions.
Information was provided to the public immediately after the crash and for several day during the initial investigation and clean-up. The only additional information that the state police can release without violating the provisions of the vehicle code is: names, basic vehicle information and seat belt usage.
Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.
After consulting with the district attorney, it was decided that although many of the drivers were traveling too fast for conditions, their actions did not rise to the level necessary to support prosecution for any serious traffic offenses such as homicide by vehicle or reckless driving. No one will be cited for summary violations.
