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Pennsylvania State Police and the families have identified the crash victims. The family in the RV were: Donald 'Don', Kimberly 'Kim', Miranda, and Dane Molander, and their dog Rue of Middletown, PA.
The family was on their way home from an ATV event when their RV blew out a tire triggering the deadly crash, authorities say.
The other victim was the Old Dominion twin tractor-trailer driver, James 'Jimmy' Shade of Martinsburg, WV.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesperson David Thompson, the RV was pulling a trailer in the southbound lanes of I-81 when it crossed over into the northbound lanes as the tire blew — pulling through a double-cabled median barrier.
The RV continued across the grassy median and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer in the northbound lanes at 8:53 p.m., on Aug. 9, according to Thompson and Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Megan Frazer.
Thompson explained that all five fatalities were reported at the scene by 10:28 p.m.
The northbound lanes of I-81 were shut down between exits 16: US 30 - Lincoln Way and 20: PA 997 - Scotland in Greene Township, Chambersburg, according to PennDOT's 551 pa.
The roadway reopened around 7 a.m. on Aug. 10, according to Thompson.
The Pennsylvania State Police investigated the deadly crash and released the victims' identities around 10:30 a.m.
At only 19 years old, Dane was a professional ATV rider.
According to his Instagram, he most recently competed in the 2023 AMA ATV MX Pro-Am championship series in Ohio at the end of July.
He was the AMA ATV MX Pro-Am National Champion in 2022 and the 2021 ATV MX Amateur Rider of the Year. He was also a four-time ATV MX national champion.
His sister Miranda was a former cheerleading champion and honor roll student, according to her social media.
According to social media, their parents wholeheartedly supported their children, taking them to all their competitions.
Jimmy Shade was also a beloved father who will always be remembered for the support he showed his children.
They are all survived by family and friends. Funeral service details have not been released.
A memorial prayer will be held for the Molanders at Loretta Lynn race track on Saturday, according to a GoFundMe launched to help Ron Molander, Don's brother, cover the funeral costs.
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe campaign for the Molander family.
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