3rd Victim Dies After PA Turnpike Tragedy In Montgomery County

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP, PA — A third person has died after a weekend crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Montgomery County.

The incident occurred before noon on Saturday in the northbound lanes of the Northeast Extension, between the Mid-County and Lansdale exits in Worcester Township.

A vehicle came to a complete stop in the right hand land and a second vehicle came up behind it to assist, according to authorities.

A tanker truck carrying jet fuel coming up behind the two stopped vehicles was unable to slow down in time, and slammed into the vehicles, police said.

The tanker truck driver, along with the driver and passenger in the second vehicle, are now all dead.

The driver of the first vehicle is in the hospital receiving treatment for injuries, 6ABC reports.

Video shared on social media following the crash showed debris scattered across the interstate and large flames engulfing the tanker trucks and nearby cars. A news helicopter crew from ABC6 reported seeing the charred remains of the truck and two cars.

Both the north and southbound lanes between Exit 20 and Exit 31 were closed as of 5 p.m., according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's website. They were reopened before midnight Saturday. Motorists were trapped on the roadway for hours.

The crash also prompted a brief evacuation for residents living on two nearby roads, CBS Philadelphia reported. Residents have since been allowed to return home.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Megan VerHelst