BERKS COUNTY –  One Dead After Car Crashes into Trailer on Route 222

BERKS COUNTY, PA  (June 26, 2025) ——  The driver of a car died in Ontelaunee Township on Thursday, June 26 after the vehicle crashed into a parked trailer along Route 222.

The crash occurred about 7:45 a.m. on the southbound side of the 5600 block of Allentown Pike. The incident happened before the ramp for the southbound Route 222 expressway.

Northern Berks Regional Police said the car left the southbound roadway for unknown reasons and went under the trailer that was parked off the road.

The driver was trapped in the wreckage. They died while emergency officials attempted to free them.

Police continue to investigate. 

Trapped in Your Vehicle After a PA Car Accident: Legal Steps to Protect Yourself

Being trapped in your car after a Pennsylvania accident is a traumatic experience that typically indicates a serious collision. When emergency responders need specialized equipment like the “Jaws of Life” to extract you, the physical and legal implications can be life-changing.

Understanding the Severity

Accidents that trap victims often involve side-impact crashes, rollovers, or head-on collisions that cause severe injuries including broken bones, spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, and psychological trauma. These cases demand immediate medical attention and careful legal consideration.

Critical Legal Steps

Document Everything: Once medically stable, obtain police reports, photograph your vehicle and injuries, and maintain detailed medical records of all treatment including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation.

Know PA’s Laws: Pennsylvania follows a choice no-fault system with limited tort and full tort options. The two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims makes prompt legal action essential, though it’s best to begin the process immediately.

Handle Insurance Carefully: While you must notify your insurer, avoid detailed statements before consulting an attorney. Pennsylvania’s minimum coverage requirements often fall short of covering serious injuries from entrapment accidents.

Legal Action After a Fatal Accident in Pennsylvania

When you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Pennsylvania, you may be entitled to pursue legal action to secure compensation and justice. In PA, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the death. These claims can cover funeral expenses, lost income, medical bills, and compensation for loss of companionship.

Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence rules, meaning compensation may be reduced if your loved one was partially at fault, but recovery is still possible as long as they were less than 51% responsible.

Two types of claims are typically available: a wrongful death claim (filed by the personal representative of the estate for the benefit of beneficiaries) and a survival action (which covers the deceased’s pain and suffering before death).

Beyond legal support, families who have lost loved ones in fatal car accidents often need emotional and practical assistance. Support groups, grief, and community resources can help families navigate the healing process. 

While no legal action can undo the tragedy of losing a loved one, taking appropriate steps can help provide financial security and a sense of justice for those left behind. Consulting with a qualified attorney promptly will help ensure your family’s rights are protected throughout this difficult process. 

Take Action

If you’ve been trapped in your vehicle after a Pennsylvania car accident, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation. While you focus on recovery, we’ll fight for the justice and financial support you deserve after such a traumatic experience.

If you were involved in an accident near Berks County, the Reading accident attorneys at Munley Law can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.

Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.