Rain, bald tires leads to crash

A heavy rainstorm and bald tires were blamed for a one-vehicle crash along Interstate 81 in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County, that occurred at 5:53 p.m. Wednesday.

State police at Frackville said Axel Diaz Tatis, 24, of Hazleton, was driving a 2005 Honda Civic southbound in the right lane during a heavy rainstorm when he attempted to change lanes. The front tires on the Civic were worn down nearly to the tread wear bars which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The Civic traveled across the left shoulder and onto the berm where the front left corner struck a rocky embankment. Impact ripped the front left wheel and suspension off the Civic.

The Civic then spun 360-degrees coming to rest partially in the southbound passing lane and straddling the left fog line and shoulder.

Diaz Tatis was not injured. Troopers cited him for driving at an unsafe speed.