FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Three people were injured, including one seriously, in a five-vehicle crash in an Interstate 79 work zone in Erie County, according to information just released by Pennsylvania State Police.
The crash happened around 1:47 p.m. Thursday near mile marker 166.3 in Franklin Township.
State police said traffic was backed up in the northbound left lane because the right lane was closed when a Freightliner was unable to stop and struck the rear of an SUV. The impact triggered a chain-reaction crash involving four SUVs.
One SUV overturned after being pushed across the closed lane and off the highway.
A 46-year-old Meadville man suffered suspected serious injuries and was flown to UPMC Hamot. A 74-year-old man and 72-year-old woman also were taken to Hamot with suspected minor injuries.
Police cited the commercial truck driver for following too closely.