thedrifter
01-21-09, 07:40 AM
Victims identified as marines in I-81 crash Tuesday morning
By staff reports, January 21, 2009
Last updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 8:00 AM EST
Police have identified the victims of Tuesday morning’s double fatal auto crash on Interstate 81 in Franklin County as U.S. Marines on leave from Camp Lejeune, N.C.
State police at Chambersburg say Justin F. Clayton, 18, of Milton; and Caleb A. Rushing, 19, of Denham Springs City, La.; died in the 6:40 a.m. crash.
A third Marine, Timothy J. Miller. Jr., 19, of Hughesville, Pa.; was at the wheel of the southbound 1994 Toyota SUV when it veered across the median of the highway and into the northbound lanes, where police say it was struck by four tractor-trailer rigs.
Miller was flown to York Hospital. His condition was unknown at this time.
Clayton and Rushing were pronounced dead at the scene by Franklin County Chief Deputy Coroner Paul T. Reed at 7:30 a.m.
Corner Jeffrey Conner cited blunt force trauma to the head and neck as the cause of death in both cases.
Police say, the Marines’ vehicle was traveling south near mile marker 19 in Greene Township when it crossed the median, turned onto its side and was struck by the northbound semi rigs. Why the vehicle went out of control has not been explained, but icy road conditions along that stretch of the Interstate have contributed to several crashes in recent days, according to police.
A passenger bus carrying 36 passengers also became involved in the crash, police said. The passengers on the bus were taken to Scotland Community Center for standby, police said, noting that no passengers were injured during the crash. Police said one additional passenger car was also involved in the accident, but there were no reports of injuries.
The crash closed both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of traffic. Northbound traffic was detoured off the interstate onto Route 30 at exit 16, according to police. The closed southbound lane created a bottleneck for travelers between mile markers 19 and 20.
The detours caused lengthy traffic back-ups in Shippensburg and Greene Township.
Both lanes were reported open by state police by 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Ellie
By staff reports, January 21, 2009
Last updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 8:00 AM EST
Police have identified the victims of Tuesday morning’s double fatal auto crash on Interstate 81 in Franklin County as U.S. Marines on leave from Camp Lejeune, N.C.
State police at Chambersburg say Justin F. Clayton, 18, of Milton; and Caleb A. Rushing, 19, of Denham Springs City, La.; died in the 6:40 a.m. crash.
A third Marine, Timothy J. Miller. Jr., 19, of Hughesville, Pa.; was at the wheel of the southbound 1994 Toyota SUV when it veered across the median of the highway and into the northbound lanes, where police say it was struck by four tractor-trailer rigs.
Miller was flown to York Hospital. His condition was unknown at this time.
Clayton and Rushing were pronounced dead at the scene by Franklin County Chief Deputy Coroner Paul T. Reed at 7:30 a.m.
Corner Jeffrey Conner cited blunt force trauma to the head and neck as the cause of death in both cases.
Police say, the Marines’ vehicle was traveling south near mile marker 19 in Greene Township when it crossed the median, turned onto its side and was struck by the northbound semi rigs. Why the vehicle went out of control has not been explained, but icy road conditions along that stretch of the Interstate have contributed to several crashes in recent days, according to police.
A passenger bus carrying 36 passengers also became involved in the crash, police said. The passengers on the bus were taken to Scotland Community Center for standby, police said, noting that no passengers were injured during the crash. Police said one additional passenger car was also involved in the accident, but there were no reports of injuries.
The crash closed both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of traffic. Northbound traffic was detoured off the interstate onto Route 30 at exit 16, according to police. The closed southbound lane created a bottleneck for travelers between mile markers 19 and 20.
The detours caused lengthy traffic back-ups in Shippensburg and Greene Township.
Both lanes were reported open by state police by 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Ellie