Ford Explorer rolls after collision with truck on I-78

Driver of Explorer failed to yield to traffic while entering interstate

A Ford Explorer failed to yield to traffic while entering Interstate 78 in Tilden Township and struck a tractor trailer truck. The impact sent the Ford Explorer rolling over the guard rail and down an embankment early on Feb. 17.

State Police Hamburg report that at 6:25 a.m., a Ford Explorer, driven by Severiano Desiderio, 56, Reading, was entering Interstate 78 eastbound from Route 61 northbound ramp in Tilden Township. Desiderio was traveling too fast for the entrance ramp and failed to yield to traffic on 78, entered the right lane and struck an international tractor trailer truck driving east on I-78 in the right lane.

The impact with the tractor trailer truck caused the Ford Explorer to roll over and strike the guard rail along 78 eastbound. The vehicle then rolled over the guard rail, struck a tree and traveled down the embankment on the eastbound roadside.

The tractor trailer truck struck the guard rail and became disabled along the guard rail in the right lane of I-78 east.

Trapped in the Ford Explorer, Desiderio was freed from the vehicle by medical and fire personnel and then transported to Reading Hospital for head and torso injuries.

The driver of the tractor trailer truck, Vincent Letterlough, 44, of Lawrenceville, Ga., was examined at the scene by medical personnel and released.

Hamburg, Shoemakersville and Shartlesville fire companies, Hamburg EMS, Always Towing and V&M Towing assisted at the scene.

I-78 eastbound was closed for about two hours.