The crash occurred around 11:04 p.m. on April 22, 2026, along the eastbound lanes of I-78 in Bethel Township.
State Police say the incident involved two vehicles, a 2014 Honda Civic and a 2025 Ford Explorer. The operator of the Honda, identified only as a 49-year-old male from Schuylkill County, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to investigators, the Honda had been disabled in the left lane of I-78 eastbound, facing west, following a prior crash. A second vehicle, a Ford Explorer driven by a 36-year-old woman from Waynesboro, Virginia, was traveling in the same lane and struck the disabled vehicle head-on.
Both drivers became trapped in their vehicles and had to be extricated. The Schuylkill County man was pronounced dead at approximately 1:45 a.m. The driver of the Ford Explorer was transported to Reading Hospital with suspected non-life-threatening injuries.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including local EMS, fire companies, and towing services. Pennsylvania State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialists also assisted in the investigation.
Authorities said the identities of those involved are being withheld pending notification of family members. The crash remains under investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at Hamburg at 610-562-6885.