1 injured after tractor-trailer carrying mail crashes on Pa. Turnpike

An Allegheny County man escaped a burning tractor-trailer Sunday afternoon with the help of a passerby after crashing the rig on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to state police.

The tractor-trailer, which firefighters said was hauling mail, was headed west on the highway around 1:30 p.m. when it crashed near milepost 69 in Hempfield, between the Irwin and New Stanton interchanges. Troopers said the truck left the road, hit a barrier and “lightly struck” a pier holding up the Eisaman Road overpass.

The engine area and driver’s cab burst into flames and a passerby stopped to help Shune E. Moore, 56, of North Braddock, escape before it became fully engulfed, according to state police. He was hospitalized for treatment of what troopers described as non-life-threatening injuries.

It was unclear if any mail was damaged. U.S. Postal Service spokesman Mark Lawrence said the driver was not a service employee.

“The postal service will make every effort to deliver all salvaged mail,” he said.

Turnpike spokeswoman Rosanne Placey said the overpass pier was not structurally damaged. It was inspected after the crash.