Accident snarls I-81 northbound

by david singleton (staff writer)
Published: May 21, 2009

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A fiery tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 81 in Moosic closed the northbound lanes of the highway for about five hours today, backing up traffic for miles.

The left lane reopened about 11 a.m, and the right lane reopened around 1:50 p.m. after repairs to a temporary bridge damaged in the accident.

The state Department of Transportation said there willd be alternating lane closures at the crash area tonight between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. to make repairs to the pavement.

The accident happened shortly after 6 a.m. in a construction zone between the Moosic and Davis Street exits.

According to state police at Dunmore, a northbound tractor-trailer driven by Robert Lore, 55, of Bloomsburg, hit a concrete barrier, causing the front axle to separate and puncturing the truck's right fuel tank.

The resulting fire consumed the rig and produced thick black smoke that could be seen for miles.

State police said Mr. Lore, who was not injured, faces charges of careless driving.

After the accident, PennDOT urged northbound motorists to find alternate routes, including the Blue Route detour along Route 315 to Route 11 and then to Davis Street.

That caused another round of tie-ups as vehicles clogged other area roadways.

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3 posted comments

EVERYONE IS READY TO BLAME THE TRUCK DRIVER. I DRIVE 81 EVERY MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT WAS PROBABLY SOMEONE TRYING TO PUT HER MAKEUP ON OR TEXTING/TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE WHO CUT HIM OFF. THERE ARE JUST AS MANY CARS DRIVING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT AND DRIVERS WITH ROAD RAGE. IT'S NOT THE IDIOT TRUCKERS AS SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM ITS THE IDIOT PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY CAN STOP OR SWERVE ON A DIME. TRUCKS ARE A PART OF THE HIGHWAY. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT TAKE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE. ALSO BY THE WAY THOSE SO CALLED IDIOT TRUCK DRIVERS PAY MORE IN FUEL AND ROAD TAXES THAN SOME PEOPLE MAKE IN A YEAR. I'M JUST GLAD HE WASN'T KILLED.
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LISA,  05/21/09 10:08
I think that the MORON wanting to issue a $5000 fine, should try driving somethig bigger than his little Neon. Not that easy to drive a big truck around all the IDIOTS in little cars. The trucker was probably trying to avoid hitting you, when he hit the divider. Happy Motoring !
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Lenny M,  05/21/09 07:37
I say these idiot truckers should be fined $5000.00 for every hour they block traffic due to stupid driving crashes. And there should be a rule that these rigs utilize the right lane only. I don't know how many times I've been cut off by some greaser who then decides to go 45 mph in the passing lane.
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Fred,  05/21/09 03:06
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