Truck Driver, 30, One of Two Killed in I-78 Wreck

The Lehigh County Coroner’s office has identified one of two men who were killed in a three-vehicle accident on I-78 east in Upper Saucon Township early Monday morning.

Nicholas James Bolotine, 30, of East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, was the operator of a tractor-trailer that struck another tractor-trailer at mile marker 61.6, Coroner Dan Buglio said.

The crash happened around 4:44 a.m., and Bolotine was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries shortly before 8 a.m., according to a news release from Buglio’s office.

According to the news release, the other person killed was a man who “was outside of his vehicle and…attempting to push it off the roadway” when he was struck by a tractor-trailer.

Buglio said that victim also died of multiple blunt force injuries caused by the accident. He ruled both deaths accidental.

As of late Monday morning, Buglio said his office was working with state and federal agencies to identify the second victim, who was identified only as “John Doe” in the news release.

Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office are also investigating the accident, which happened between the highway’s Rt. 309 (Quakertown) and Rt. 412 (Hellertown) exits.

I-78 eastbound was closed to traffic for hours, which forced thousands of vehicles onto local roads in the Saucon Valley area, as drivers attempted to navigate around the closed stretch of road.