A 57-year-old Nesquehoning man was killed in a crash Wednesday afternoon on Route 54 in the borough.

Carbon County Coroner Bob Miller identified the man as Jerry Festa.

Miller said he was traveling from Hometown to Nesquehoning and hit several cars before crashing.

The crash occurred about 3:30 p.m. along Route 54 in Hauto Estates.

A car traveling east occupied by three people reported they were struck in the rear by a car traveling at a high rate of speed.

After the first impact they were struck a second time and then a third with the striking vehicle bursting into flames. The burning vehicle swerved to the left, crossed the roadway and went down an embankment. One of the occupants was pronounced dead at the scene while a second was treated at the scene by Lehighton paramedics before being flown by LifeFlight helicopter to a Lehigh Valley area trauma center. Route 54 was closed to traffic for several hours.

Nesquehoning police are investigating the incident.