Two people were killed in a crash in Berks County last night along Interstate 78 in Upper Tulpehocken Township.

State police at Hamburg said the crash occurred at 10:23 p.m. eastbound.

Troopers gave the following update report:

Traffic was being detoured off I-78 at Exit 19 (Strausstown) due to a fatal crash investigation. A truck and trailer combination, operated by a 64-year-old man from New Florence, Westmoreland County, did not slow down for stopped traffic exiting the interstate, and subsequently struck the rear of a van driven by a 53-year-old man from Inman, South Carolina.

The impact pushed the van into the rear of a sedan operated by a 40-year-old woman from Reading. That vehicle had three passengers, a 21-year-old man from Reading in the front; a 27-year-old woman from Reading in the rear driver side; and a 24-year-old woman from Reading, rear passenger side. She died in the crash, troopers said.

The sedan was pushed into the rear of a sports utility vehicle operated by a 54-year-old man from Williamsport, who died in the crash. His vehicle was pushed into the rear of a truck-trailer combination operated by a 46-year-old man from Orlando, Florida.

A member of the Berks County coroner’s office pronounced both victims dead at the scene. Troopers said multiple agencies assisted them at the scene including a state police CARS Unit and Forensic Services Unit.

The investigation is ongoing. Troopers asked anyone who might have witnessed the crash to call them at 610-562-6886.

The identities of the individuals involved, and the extent of injuries sustained, is being withheld pending proper notification.