Two people including a pedestrian were seriously injured Monday morning in two crashes on Interstate 81 near Mahanoy City.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, the first crash took place at approximately 6:05 AM on Interstate 81 southbound, near mile marker 131A in Mahanoy Township.
According to the report, a 2000 Ford F-150XLT, driven by Jared Longenecker, 32, of Palmyra, PA, collided with a 1994 Freightliner. The Ford, traveling behind the Freightliner, failed to slow down for the slower-moving vehicle, resulting in a rear-end collision. The Ford sustained disabling damage and came to rest in the middle of both southbound lanes, while the Freightliner was able to move to the west shoulder. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this initial crash.
Shortly after the first incident, a second crash occurred. This crash involved a 2007 Kia Spectra, a pedestrian, and a 2023 Ford F-150XLT. The pedestrian, Carson Gaston, 48, of Lehighton, PA, was standing in the middle of the southbound lanes, checking on the welfare of the occupants from the first crash. The Kia, driven by Jonothan Parker, 28, of East Stroudsburg, PA, failed to slow down and struck Gaston. The Kia then collided with the Ford, driven by Thomas Buist, 62, of Gananoque, ON.
Both Parker and Gaston sustained serious injuries and were transported to medical facilities for treatment.