FRANKLIN COUNTY Pa. (WHP) — State Police are now outlining what lead up to a crash that killed five individuals, and have also identified the deceased.
READ MORE | Five killed in crash involving tractor trailer on I-81 in Franklin Co.
Tpr. Megan Frazer, now confirming that a motorhome RV blew out its front left tire at around 8:50 p.m., causing it to travel across the grass median and into the northbound lanes of travel on I-81.
PennDOT states the RV "slipped" through an opening in the cable barriers on the highway that are designed for emergency service vehicles.
That's when, authorities say the RV hit an end pole of the cable barriers, striking the tractor-trailer that was towing double trailers, head on.
Crews on scene say the RV was also hauling a 20 foot enclosed trailer.
Officials report that the individuals in the RV, Donald Molander, Kimberly Molander, Miranda Molander, and Dane Molander of Middletown had passed away in the crash.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, James Shade of Martinsburg, West Virginia, also died in the accident.
Officers say a dog also passed away in the crash.
PennDOT confirms that a second crash occurred a few hours later after the initial fatal crash.
This second crash involved a tractor-trailer that slammed into a passenger vehicle while merging off the interstate.
One injury was reported in that crash.
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