A truck driver is facing homicide and DUI charges following a Friday night multiple vehicle crash that left three people dead.
The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 12, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, according to ABC27.
Police say that 29 year old Mississippi-based truck driver Jack E. Satterfield III was traveling on northbound I-83 near mile marker 47 in Lower Paxton Township when he saw slowed traffic ahead of him but was unable to stop in time to avoid the crash. A total of eleven vehicles were involved in the crash.
Twenty four year old Zachary Lybrand, 22 year old Ethan VanBochoven, and a toddler under the age of 2 died in the crash. Seven other people were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries.
Police say that after the crash Satterfield fled from his truck and ran to a hotel parking lot, where he was able to observe the crash site from a distance.
Pennsylvania State Police say that Satterfield’s truck had a strong odor of alcohol. They also say that Satterfield admitted to drinking a few beers along with five double shot margaritas at a Mexican restaurant in New Jersey prior to the crash. Satterfield underwent a blood test for alcohol and other substances following the crash.
Police say that Satterfield’s CDL had been suspended.
Satterfield has been charged with three counts each of vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide with DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, and accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed. He is being held without bail in Dauphin County Prison and is scheduled to appear in court on October 31.
I-83 was shut down for approximately seven hours for the crash.