Deadly tractor-trailer crash shuts down I-78 in Berks County

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Tuesday, March 31, 2015
VIDEO: Deadly truck crash on I-78 in Berks Co.
Traffic was at a standstill for hours on a major interstate because of a deadly crash involving a Fed Ex truck.

GREENWICH, Pa. (WPVI) -- A truck driver is dead following a crash that shut down part of I-78 for hours Tuesday in Berks County.

It happened at 4:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the interstate in Greenwich Township.

Police say it began when a Hyundai crashed into the center barrier and stopped partially on the left shoulder and partially on the highway.

A tractor trailer came to a stop behind the Hyundai. That truck was then hit from behind by a FedEx truck with a tandem trailer.

The FedEx truck overturned and landed across both lanes of the highway and part of the concrete barrier.

The driver of that truck was killed. Authorities identify the driver as 49-year-old Kevin Staab from Highspire near Harrisburg.

Police say there was a small fire in the engine compartment. It was put out by other drivers who stopped at the scene.

Both the driver of the Hyundai and the driver of the truck that was hit were taken to the hospital.

The westbound lanes reopened to traffic just before 4:00 p.m.