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DENNISON TWP. — A truck driver was arraigned Monday on charges he fled the scene of a fatal crash on Interstate 80 on Sunday.
State police at Hazleton said Paul Patrick Hillman, 55, of Philadelphia, was found dead in the driver seat of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado near mile marker 265.1 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 just before 5 p.m.
Hillman’s vehicle was allegedly struck by a tractor-trailer hauling cattle, state police said.
State police tracked the tractor-trailer that they say was operated by Thomas Kay Wilt, 55, to a slaughter house in Montgomery County where he was dropping off the livestock.
Wilt was arraigned by District Judge James Haggerty in Kingston on charges of accidents involving death, accidents involving damage to attended vehicle, failure to stop and render aid, failure to stop and contact authorities, careless driving and reckless driving. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $150,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
Witnesses told state police the driver of the tractor-trailer was “taunting” the operator of the pickup truck.
While Hillman was traveling in the passing lane, witnesses claim they saw Wilt swerve into the passing lane, forcing Hillman onto the berm.
Hillman managed to return to the interstate and passed the tractor-trailer.
Witnesses told state police Wilt allegedly sped up the tractor-trailer and struck Hillman’s vehicle from behind, forcing the pickup truck to crash.
Another motorist followed the tractor-trailer as a passenger copied a description and a registration number.
State police said they learned from the description and registration that the tractor-trailer arrived at a slaughter house in Montgomery County where Wilt was arrested.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call state police at Hazleton at 570-459-3890.
An autopsy on Hillman is scheduled for Tuesday.