NORTHAMPTON COUNTY – Man Pushing Vehicle Fatally Struck by Truck on I-78
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PA (June 18, 2025) — One man who was pushing his vehicle that had run out of gas on I-78 was killed by a semi-truck on Monday, June 17 in Williams Township.
The crash occurred around 10:15 p.m. on I-78 eastbound at mile marker 74.3, near the Route 33 exit.
The tractor-trailer reportedly collided with another vehicle while a man was pushing a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, in the right travel lane. A woman was steering the vehicle due to it being out of gas, when the tractor-trailer that was traveling eastbound struck the Chevrolet Equinox. The truck also hit another semi, which was disabled on the shoulder of the highway.
The man pushing the vehicle was killed. The woman was taken to a local hospital.
Police continue to investigate.
Fatal Accidents from Running Out of Gas
Running out of fuel on highways creates extremely dangerous situations that can turn fatal. When vehicles become stranded in travel lanes or on narrow shoulders, they become virtually invisible obstacles, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. The most common fatal scenarios occur when drivers exit their vehicles to walk for help or attempt roadside repairs, making them vulnerable to being struck by passing traffic. Even vehicles properly positioned on shoulders face significant risk, as impaired or distracted drivers may drift off the roadway. Statistics show that a significant percentage of roadside fatalities involve vehicles that have run out of fuel, with many occurring during the driver’s attempt to reach safety or while waiting for assistance.
Fatal Semi-Truck vs. Pedestrian Accidents
Semi-truck collisions with pedestrians result in fatalities at an alarming rate due to the massive size and weight differential. These accidents commonly occur in several scenarios: pedestrians crossing highways after vehicle breakdowns, workers performing roadside maintenance or repairs, and individuals walking along highway shoulders or medians. The physics involved make survival extremely unlikely – commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and often travel at highway speeds with limited ability to stop quickly. Visibility issues compound the danger, as truck drivers have significant blind spots and pedestrians may not be visible, particularly in low-light conditions or when wearing dark clothing.
Legal Steps and Considerations
When fatal highway accidents occur, several critical legal steps must be taken immediately. Family members should contact law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted and request copies of all accident reports. Evidence preservation becomes crucial – this includes photographs of the scene, vehicle positions, weather conditions, and any contributing factors like inadequate signage or road maintenance. Witness information should be collected promptly, as memories fade and people become harder to locate over time. Legal representation should be secured quickly to protect the family’s rights and ensure proper investigation of all potentially liable parties, which may include other drivers, trucking companies, government entities responsible for road maintenance, or manufacturers in cases involving vehicle defects. Many highway fatality cases involve multiple forms of negligence and complex liability issues that require experienced legal analysis to fully develop.w
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Pennsylvania, consult with a qualified personal injury attorney to understand your rights within the two-year statute of limitations.
If you were involved in a truck accident near Northampton, the Easton truck 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.
