A 23-year-old Lebanon man was killed before dawn Monday beside his broken-down vehicle that was partially in the travel lane on Interstate 78 in northern Berks County while trying to wave down other motorists for help, state police at Hamburg said.
Jarrod Evans was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened about 4:40 a.m. and involved four vehicles in the eastbound lanes at mile marker 26.4 in Tilden Township.
The crash and ensuing investigation closed a 6-mile stretch of the eastbound interstate between the Shartlesville and Hamburg exits for more than three hours.
Troopers provided this account in a news release:
Evans’ vehicle became disabled due to a mechanical failure and was partially blocking the right lane. Witnesses said Evans was trying to wave down motorists for help when a Toyota plowed into the rear of the disabled vehicle, striking Evans in the process.
The Toyota, which was driven by a 26-year-old Pine Grove, Schuylkill County man, was in turn rear-ended by a Honda driven by a 66-year-old Virginia man. A fourth vehicle, also a Honda, struck the Toyota as that driver, a 20-year-old Virginia man, tried to weave through the wreckage.
A deputy from the Berks County coroner’s office pronounced Evans dead at the scene a short time after the crash. Chief County Deputy Coroner George Holmes said Evans died of multiple injuries and his death was ruled accidental.
It was the 18th death this year due to crashes on Berks roads.
Troopers withheld the names of the occupants of the other vehicles involved in the crash, which they emphasized was still being actively investigated.
Troopers ask anyone who witnessed any part of the crash to contact the Hamburg station at 610-562-6885.