Crashes probed on I81 in Schuylkill

State police at Frackville reported investigating three crashes along Interstate 81, two occurring on Friday, Sept. 17.

A crash occurred at 10:43 a.m. in Delano Township, Schuylkill County. Troopers said Christine Vansanford, 46, of Lake City, Fla., was driving a 2001 Chrysler Pacifica southbound through a construction zone when she fell asleep. The vehicle went onto the west side where the asphalt and concrete had been removed and dropped about 15 inches below the road surface. The vehicle came to final rest southwest in the work area. There were no construction workers in the area at the time.

Vansanford was not injured with damages moderate to her vehicle. She was cited for careless driving.

A crash occurred at 4 p.m. in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, involving two tractor trailer rigs. Troopers said James Bigan, 67, of Johnstown, was driving a 2003 International truck with semitrailer, and Charles Amberman Jr., 42, of Joppa, Md., was operating a 2003 Kenworth truck with semitrailer both southbound in a one-lane restricted area due to construction.

There was a small backlog due to heavy traffic. Troopers said Bigan failed to yield his truck to slowing traffic in front of him and hit the rear of Amberman's trailer.

Amberman complained of neck pain and was taken to the Hazleton General Hospital. Bigan was not injured. Damages were minor to both rigs.

A crash occurred on Sunday, Sept. 19, about 2:57 p.m. in Butler Township, Schuylkill County. Troopers said Robert Gambill, 61, of Plains, Luzerne County, was southbound driving a 1999 Mazda SE V6 truck when, for unknown reasons, he suddenly swerved from the right to center median which caused the truck to rollover several times before coming to rest in the median.

Gambill was injured and flown by Lifeflight helicopter to the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, troopers said.