Disaster Averted With Wrong-Way Driver on I-81

Law enforcement had to form a moving road block to stop a confused Carbon County motorist who drove 18 miles the wrong way down Interstate 81.

Amazingly, nobody was hurt in the incident.

There are more than 100,000 motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania each year, according to the state Department of Transportation. These wrecks will claim the lives of 1,000 people and injure and disable many thousands more.

Here is one newspaper account of the wrong-way driver on I-81:

State police formed a rolling road block to stop a Carbon County woman who drove the wrong way on Interstate 81 for 18 miles starting near Dickson City.

State police at Dunmore received calls around 5:30 a.m. about a vehicle, driven by Paige Cicardo, 22, of Albrightsville, traveling south on I-81 north near the Main Avenue exit.

As the vehicle continued to drive the wrong way along I-81 north in Luzerne County, police used emergency lights and spot lights, hoping to catch the driver's attention.

Unsuccessful, officers formed a rolling road block at mile marker 173.7, in Laflin borough.

The driver was arrested for suspicion of driving while under the influence and reckless endangerment.

Under state law, Pennsylvania car accident victims and their survivors may sue for financial compensation following an automobile crash in certain circumstances.

Source: Scranton Times Tribune