Fountain Hill, PA : Fatal tractor-trailer, car crash shuts Route 33 North on Thursday, November 17, 2016

A tractor-trailer and another vehicle crashed about 11:20 a.m. Thursday on Route 33 North near the Route 22 interchange, eventually shutting the busy stretch of highway, Pennsylvania State Police said.

One injured person was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, a Northampton County emergency dispatch supervisor said. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office was called in just before 12:45 p.m., after someone involved in the crash died at the hospital, Coroner Scott Grim said.

The right lane was initially closed and traffic backed up.

Just before noon, both northbound lanes of the highway were shut north of the Route 22 West exit.

Vehicles on Route 33 North were being diverted onto Route 22 West. The closure was expected to last three or more hours, the supervisor said.

A tanker truck was in the median, along with Pennsylvania State Police cruisers and fire trucks. The truck was reportedly leaking fuel.

Pieces of a red vehicle could be seen along the shoulder and a crumbled car was well off the road.

PennDOT placed the crash in Bethlehem Township.

Palmer Township police said at 12:18 pm. that Route 22 traffic was backed up to 25th Street and drivers should avoid Routes 22 and 33. Route 33 North reopened around 3 p.m., PennDOT reported.

At 1:30 p.m., eastbound traffic on Route 22 was very slow as a high volume of vehicles exited Route 33. That backup didn't reach Route 191. Westbound traffic was flowing freely passing the Route 33 interchange.

PennDOT suggested drivers take Interstate 78 instead of Route 22, and northbound drivers use the Northeast Extension or Routes 191 or 512. There are no formal detours in place.

Source :
Fatal tractor-trailer, car crash shuts Route 33 North