Chambersburg, PA – UPDATE: Tragic Head-On Collision on I-81 Claims 5 Lives

Chambersburg, PA (August 11, 2023) – A devastating accident unfolded on Wednesday evening, August 9th, around 8:50 p.m. on northbound Interstate 81 near Chambersburg.

A recreational vehicle (RV) suffered a tire blowout while heading south, causing it to cross the grassy median and collide head-on with a tractor-trailer towing double trailers, resulting in a deadly tragedy.

Tragically, the collision claimed the lives of five individuals, and the names have now been released. Among them were four occupants of the RV, identified as Donald Molander, Kimberly Molander, Miranda Molander, and Dane Molander, all hailing from Middletown, Pennsylvania. Additionally, the truck driver, James Shade, from Martinsburg, West Virginia, lost his life in the impact.

The immediate aftermath saw the closure of the affected stretch of road for nearly 10 hours as law enforcement authorities worked meticulously to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. During this time, traffic disruptions were substantial, causing residual delays that extended into the following morning.

First responders and emergency personnel arrived at the scene to provide assistance, but sadly, their efforts couldn’t alter the tragic outcome. The victims were pronounced deceased on-site, with no survivors among them.

The collision’s cause, impact, and sequence of events leading to this catastrophic event are currently the subjects of an ongoing investigation.

Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this heart-wrenching incident.