Hazleton, PA : Car, tractor-trailer crash head-on in Sugarloaf Township on Monday, September 26, 2016

A car was hit head-on by a tractor-trailer around noon Monday in Sugarloaf Township.

The collision temporarily closed Route 93 in the area.

Sugarloaf Township police said the driver of the tractor-trailer suffered a medical problem, then crossed over into the opposing lane and hit a Nissan Sentra head-on, pushing it about 75 yards along the guiderail.

Police Chief Josh Winters said at some point the Nissan dislodged from the front of the tractor, stopping in one of the lanes while the tractor-trailer continued traveling for an additional 75 yards before stopping.

Winters said when he arrived, he climbed aboard the commercial vehicle to search for the keys so he could turn off the engine. At that point, the alarmed tractor-trailer driver, who was disoriented, started coming to, he said.

Sugarloaf Township Fire Company extricated the male from the Nissan.

Both drivers were taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton, according to police.

The driver of the passenger vehicle was released with neck pain and minor contusions and abrasions to his chest from his seat belt, police said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, according to officers, was released from the hospital without injury despite suffering a fainting spell while driving.

The names of those involved in the crash weren’t released by police.

Police from Butler Township and Conyngham borough, along with fire police, directed traffic at Route 93 and the intersection of East County and West County roads.

West Hazleton police responded to assist Sugarloaf Township police along with Sugarloaf Township Fire, Valley Regional Fire and Rescue and American Patient Transport Systems Inc.

Both vehicles sustained damage and were towed.

A detour was set up for northbound vehicles via East County and West County roads, while another detour was set up on Main Street and Route 93 for southbound traffic.

The highway reopened around 1 p.m.

achristman@standardspeaker.com

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Source :
Car, tractor-trailer crash head-on in Sugarloaf, snarl traffic