UPDATE: Two People Injured in Four-Vehicle Crash on I-80, Monroe Township

Joanne Bauer

Published May 1, 2015 10:00 am

UPDATE: Two People Injured in Four-Vehicle Crash on I-80, Monroe Township

MONROE TOWNSHIP, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion-based State Police say around 3:41 p.m. on April 30, a four vehicle accident occurred on Interstate 80, 459 feet east of Exit 62 eastbound off-ramp, in Monroe Township, Clarion County.

(Photo by Randy Bauer of Bauer Truck Repair)

According to police, 48-year-old Ronald J. Lenhart, Jr., of Allenwood; 38-year-old John W. Brundege, of Corsica; 66-year-old Royce A. Billings, of Girard; and 47-year-old Guillermo A. Montoya, of Elizabeth, NJ, were involved in the collision.

Police say Lenhart, who was operating a 2000 Freightliner tractor trailer, was traveling east on I-80 near mile marker 61.8 negotiating a straight one lane construction zone just west of Exit 62.

Brundege, in a 2012 Ford F-350; Billings in a 2014 Nissan Murano; and Montoya in a 2009 Freightliner tractor trailer were also traveling east at the same location in front of Lenhart.

At this time, Lenhart became distracted and failed to notice the vehicles in front of him had slowed down, according to police.

Lenhart attempted to stop by applying the brakes; however, there was not enough stopping distance. The front bumper/grill area of the tractor trailer impacted the rear bumper/tailgate area of the Ford F-350, which is a PA DCNR pickup truck, police say.

This initial violent impact forced the front of the Ford into the rear of the Nissan. The Ford then skidded clockwise and rolled onto its driver’s side, coming to a rest on the Exit 62 off ramp facing south, according to police.

After being struck by the Ford, the Nissan impacted the rear of the 2009 Freightliner tractor trailer. The Nissan spun 180 degrees skidding off the roadway and impacted a grass embankment on the south side of the Exit 62 off ramp, police say.

After striking the rear of the DCNR pickup truck, the 2000 Freightliner tractor trailer continued east and impacted the rear of the 2009 Freightliner tractor trailer, which was now stopped, according to police.

Both tractor trailers came to a final rest in the eastbound lane blocking all eastbound travel, police say.

Brundege (the driver of the DCNR pickup) suffered moderate injury.

Billings (the driver of the Nissan) suffered minor injury.

Both men were transported to Clarion Hospital.

Lenhart and Montoya (the operators of the tractor trailers) were not injured.

All occupants were using seat belts.

Lenhart was charged with careless driving, according to police.

Clarion Volunteer Fire Company assisted at the scene.