Published September 26, 2007 08:20 am - Five people were injured Tuesday when a pickup truck crashed on Interstate 80 after the 30-foot camper it was towing became disconnected in Turbot Township, Northumberland County.
5 hurt when pickup rolls
Crash occurs after camper disconnects
MILTON — Five people were injured Tuesday when a pickup truck crashed on Interstate 80 after the 30-foot camper it was towing became disconnected in Turbot Township, Northumberland County.
The accident closed Interstate 80 west for three hours. Traffic was detoured around the crash scene via on and off ramps near the Exit 215 interchange at Limestoneville.
The driver and three passengers were treated at Valley hospitals and released, while a fourth passenger, flown by helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, was listed in serious condition Tuesday night, a nursing supervisor said.
Passenger Marcia Wheeler, 69, of Odessa, Del., was listed in serious condition at Geisinger. Driver Margaret Hamilton, 62, of Erma, N.J., was taken by ambulance to Geisinger, where she was treated and released. William Hamilton, 65, of Erma; Evelyn Wercoch, 76, of Wildwood, N.J.; and Nancy Sturdvent, of Cape May, N.J., were taken by ambulance to Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, where they were treated and released, a nursing supervisor said Tuesday night.
State police at Milton said the 2003 GMC Sierra truck driven by Ms. Hamilton was traveling west on I-80 in Turbot Township around 12:50 p.m.
The truck and 2004 Terry Quantum Camper began to swerve after being passed by a tractor-trailer, according to police. The camper jack-knifed and became disconnected from the truck, police said.
The truck left the road via the north berm, struck and skidded along a guide rail and rolled onto its roof.
The camper flipped on its side and stopped in middle of both westbound lanes.
The truck and camper were severely damaged.
Milton Fire Department and ambulance, Turbot Township Fire Department, Evangelical paramedics, Geisinger’s helicopter and Warrior Run and White Deer Township ambulances assisted state police.
Interstate 80 west at Limestoneville was reopened at 3:45 p.m., the state Department of Transportation said.