A Fayette County man died Wednesday in a tractor-trailer crash that closed the Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound for several hours Wednesday in Monroeville, according to state police.
David J. Paull, 60, of Uniontown, who was a passenger in the truck, died in the 1:30 p.m. crash that occurred at milepost 54.4 between the Allegheny Valley Exit 48 and the Pittsburgh Exit 57 in Monroeville, according to state police at the Gibsonia station.
The driver of the tractor trailer, Shawn E. McGregor, 47, of Brownfield, was able to flee the wreckage before it caught fire, troopers reported.
State police said in a news release that the accident occurred when the eastbound truck’s right front tire went flat causing McGregor to lose control and strike the guiderail on the south shoulder of the highway.
Police said the truck crashed through the guiderail, went down an embankment and burst into flames.
Allegheny County dispatchers said all lanes were reopened shortly after 8 p.m.
The eastbound @PA_Turnpike closure btw Allegheny Valley exit 48 and Pittsburgh exit 57 has been lifted. The right lane remains closed at the crash scene between milepost 54.2-54.7. Be alert for stopped or slow traffic in this area and expect delays. #paturnpike @TotalTrafficPIT pic.twitter.com/06kf45BuQv
— PA Turnpike Alerts (@PATurnpikeAlert) August 25, 2021
A 15-mile detour had routed motorists from Freeport Road to Route 910 west to Rute 28 south to I-579 south to I-376 East, where drivers re-entered the Turnpike at the Pittsburgh interchange in Monroeville.
No other vehicle were involved.
Tractor-trailer went through the guardrail & over 25 foot cliff on Pa Turnpike. Road closed from Harmorville exit to Monroville. @WPXI https://t.co/FXYBAk9bZY pic.twitter.com/fqOUJz6w44
— AngieMoreschi (@angiemoreschi) August 25, 2021
