Jessica Moore Killed in Truck Accident on I-81 in South Middleton Township, PA, on October 23, 2026

Jessica Moore, 36, of Newville, died in a seven-vehicle truck crash on northbound Interstate 81 in South Middleton Township, Cumberland County, on Friday, October 23, 2026. Two other people suffered critical injuries, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

State police reported that the crash occurred near mile marker 47 at about 7:22 a.m. Troopers said a northbound vehicle struck another vehicle after failing to slow for traffic ahead, leading to a series of collisions. Two vehicles caught fire.

Cumberland County Coroner Charley Hall said a tractor-trailer struck Moore’s vehicle. Several other occupants were injured and taken to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center and UPMC Carlisle. Authorities did not release a total injury count.

State police said David Rodis Lynn III, of Round Rock, Texas, was charged with homicide by motor vehicle. Police did not identify which vehicle Lynn was driving. The charge is an allegation, not a determination of guilt.

The fatal crash closed northbound I-81 from Exit 47 at Hanover Street and Route 34 to at least Exit 49 at Route 641 and High Street. Traffic congestion extended into downtown Carlisle and Middlesex Township. The highway had reopened by Friday evening.

Earlier that morning, a separate tractor-trailer carrying flammable hazardous material overturned in Silver Spring Township, closing another stretch of northbound I-81. That incident also required a hazardous materials response. Authorities reported the earlier rollover separately from the fatal collision in South Middleton Township.

The State Police Carlisle barracks is investigating the fatal crash, assisted by the agency’s Forensic Unit and Crash Reconstruction Unit. Anyone who witnessed the collision and was not interviewed at the scene is asked to contact State Police in Carlisle. The incident number is PA26-1346084.