Lehighton man killed in Schuylkill crash

A Lehighton man was killed Monday evening in a crash at a busy Schuylkill County intersection where the traffic lights were not working due to a power outage.

State police at Schuylkill Haven identified the victim as Franklin L. Ruch, 54. Troopers said Ruch died upon impact and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to troopers Ruch was operating a 2007 GMC Envoy westbound on Route 895 while Gary R. Reinoehl, 46, of Pine Grove, was driving a 2015 Ford F650 truck northbound on Route 61 about 7 p.m. Troopers noted all traffic lights at the intersection, referred to as the Molino intersection, were not functioning due to recent weather conditions and a loss of electrical power.

Troopers said the two vehicles entered the intersection at the same time, causing the truck to strike the left side of the GMC. The force of impact caused the GMC to travel northwest through the intersection to the south side of Route 61 where it came to rest. The truck continued north after impact, became airborne and landed on top of the center barrier.

Reinoehl was not injured. Damages were disabling to both vehicles.