Truck, SUV crash on I-81 in Schuylkill

A tractor trailer rig and a sport utility vehicle were involved in a crash along Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County on Thursday with two minor injuries reported.

State police at Frackville said the crash occurred at 5:25 a.m. as Brianna R. Harner, 25, of Berwick, driving a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, and Ernest J. Sampson, 55, of New Bern, North Carolina, driving a 2014 Freightliner XS tractor were both northbound in Kline Township.

Troopers said Harner attempted to pass the rig in the left lane when she lost control along the west berm traveling into the grass median. Harner attempted to regain control of the vehicle, traveled back onto the road and traveled sideways across both lanes.

The Equinox then traveled in front of the rig striking the front end which caused the trailer portion to cross the east berm and strike guide rails, before rolling over onto its right side and down an embankment along the east berm.

After impact the Equinox continued north before coming to rest in the left-hand lane.

Harner and passenger Jean Tyson, 55, of Tamaqua, sustained minor injuries and were taken by McAdoo ambulance to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton Campus. Two other passengers, Anthony Parisi, 22, of Tamaqua, and Melissa Fry, 43, of Schuylkill Haven, and Sampson, were all not injured.

Troopers cited Harner for the crash.