STRUCK-BY ACCIDENT SNARLS PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE

Traffic was snarled for five hours on a 90-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike through Westmoreland, Somerset and Bedford counties Monday after a tractor-trailer struck the rear of a turnpike maintenance truck, injuring two workers and the driver of the rig. The collision at 8:32 a.m. led to a lengthy detour when the eastbound-traffic lanes between New Stanton and Breezewood were closed while the scene was cleared and the accident investigated. The accident occurred about 10 miles east of the Somerset interchange near the Allegheny Tunnel. The lanes reopened about 1:30 p.m.

"It's our understanding that a turnpike-maintenance truck was preparing a single-lane pattern for a scheduled work project when a tractor-trailer came from behind and struck the maintenance truck," said turnpike commission spokesman Bill Capone.

Three people, including the two turnpike-maintenance employees, were flown by medical helicopter to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown. The two Somerset County men, Michael J. Miller, 58, of Rockwood, and Fred R. Kelly, 52, of Friedens, were reported in serious condition at the hospital.

The driver of the Freightliner tractor-trailer truck, Willie M. Rawls, 40, of Memphis, was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Trooper William Housley said the dump truck that Miller was operating was pulling an arrow board indicating the right lane was closed. Rawls failed to slow down and struck the arrow board and the dump truck, Housley said.

All eastbound traffic was detoured at New Stanton and directed to re-enter the turnpike at Breezewood. Capone said turnpike officials opted for the 90-mile detour "to keep the traffic on major and interstate highways rather than creating traffic problems in the smaller towns."