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The three-vehicle commercial crash happened around 4:39 a.m. near mile marker 5.1 in a marked construction area, police said. The right lane was closed at the time, with cones and warning signs properly displayed, according to the PSP crash report.
A 2018 Freightliner Cascadia (Unit 1) was traveling east in the left lane when it veered into the closed right lane, striking two construction vehicles in reverse (Units 2 and 3) that were picking up cones. The Freightliner’s front right hit the rear left of Unit 2, then its front left struck the rear of Unit 3. Debris from the crash also damaged a fourth vehicle.
The construction vehicles were properly lit and marked, state police noted.
One construction worker was transported by Life Lion Critical Care Transport to Penn State Holy Spirit Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Another worker was hospitalized with moderate injuries. A third worker was uninjured.
The Freightliner came to an uncontrolled rest blocking both right lanes. The construction vehicles landed in both the left and right lanes, halting traffic across the eastbound highway.
The crash was investigated by PSP Harrisburg Trooper Ryan DeHaven (Case No. PA 2025-440902).
Emergency crews from Hampden Township Fire and EMS, Lower Allen EMS, Penn State EMS, Silver Spring Fire Department, Camp Hill Fire Department, New Kingston Fire Police, and HJ Towing all responded to the scene.
Route 581 East was closed at Exit 3 with the Trindle Road on-ramp blocked for hours. Traffic was diverted to I-81, I-83, and I-283 while state police reconstructed the crash and PennDOT cleared spilled fuel and debris.
The road reopened around 12:30 p.m., officials said.
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