Friday, April 7, 2023

One Transported in Wednesday's Interstate 81 Crash in Delano Township

One person was transported to the hospital after a crash Wednesday morning in Delano Township.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, the crash occurred around 4:00am on Interstate 81 northbound near mile marker 132.6.

Troopers say the incident began when Neftali De Los Santos Florencio, 23, of Hazleton was driving northbound in the passing lane when he lost control and struck a guide rail.  His Honda CRV came to a stop in the middle of the roadway.  De Los Santos Florencio told Troopers he was feeling fatigued while driving.

Due to the vehicle in the roadway, a secondary crash occurred as Richard Slipkovich, 61, of Covington, GA was driving north in a tractor trailer.  Slipkovich swerved struck a guide rail and pulled into the path of Gerald Blount, 53, of Edmond, OK, also driving a tractor trailer.

De Los Santos Florencio was transported to an area hospital by Ryan Township EMS with minor injuries and he will be cited for causing the crash.

No other injuries were reported.

All three vehicles required towing from the scene.

Also assisting at the scene of the crash was the West End Fire and Rescue from Mahanoy City.