A Florida man has been identified as the victim in a fatal hit-and-run crash Friday on Interstate 78 in Bethel Township, Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel announced Saturday.
Truck driver Phillip D. Henderson, 33, of Bessemer was pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m. after he was struck on the shoulder of the highway while working on his vehicle. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center.
State police gave this account:
At about 11:15 a.m., a truck driver was out of his vehicle fixing straps on its flatbed trailer on the eastbound shoulder of the highway about a half-mile east of the Bethel interchange (Exit 13, Route 501). He was struck by another truck traveling in the right lane and was pronounced dead at the scene. The striking truck did not stop. The road was closed for several hours after the incident.
The striking truck, possibly a tractor-trailer, is white and sustained heavy to moderate damage to its passenger side. It is missing the passenger side mirror and metal mirror frame piece.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Trooper Zimmerman at the state police Hamburg barracks at 610-562-6885. Troopers are particularly interested in dash-cam video from anyone traveling eastbound on I-78 in that area between 11 and 11:20 a.m. People may also provide anonymous tips to Crime Alert Berks County by calling 877-373-9913, or at www.CrimeAlertBerks.com
The coroner’s office and state police were assisted at the scene by the Bethel Fire Company, and Bethel Ambulance. The investigation is ongoing.