BETHEL TOWNSHIP, Pa. – State police have released the names of the three victims who were killed in a major crash on Interstate 78 Saturday in Bethel Township, Lebanon County. They have been identified as 50-year-old Kenneth Lesko of Bethpage, New York; 54 year-old Francisca Pear of Bridgewater New Jersey; and 57 year-old Alfred Dean Kinnick of Limestone Tennessee. Police say they were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Troopers say Lesko was traveling in a Dodge Ram, Pear was traveling in a Toyota Tacoma and Kinnick was traveling in a commercial motor vehicle.
Authorities say the accident involved 64 vehicles, including 12 commercial motor vehicles. It happened just before 10:00 a.m. Saturday near mile marker 7.5. Officials report that a total of 73 people were taken to 11 area hospitals. Additionally, four medical helicopters were used to transport the most seriously injured to trauma centers in the area.
Officials say visibility was poor at the time of the crash.
The roadway is now open after being treated by PennDot. The eastbound lanes were reopened Sunday at 4:56 a.m. and the westbound lanes were reopened at 6:54 a.m.
