TILDEN TWP., Pa. – Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred along I-78 in northern Berks County.
It happened just before 10:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, in the eastbound lanes near mile marker #27.3 in Tilden Township.
According to PSP officials, the deceased had been traveling westbound on I-78 when he exited his vehicle for unknown reasons and attempted to cross the highway. While crossing the eastbound lanes, he was struck by an SUV.
The pedestrian was identified as 35-year-old Michael Grant Gerhart of Brooklyn, New York, and formerly of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Investigators say he was thrown a short distance by the impact and came to rest on the shoulder. Gerhart was pronounced dead at the scene.
The eastbound lanes of I-78 were closed for approximately three hours for accident investigation and cleanup.
Gerhart’s cause of death is blunt force trauma and the manner of death will be determined pending completion of the investigation.