The Carbon County Coroner’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at mile marker 83.2 northbound in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.

Paul E. Schweizer, 68 of Harveys Lake was pronounced dead at the scene on November 6, 2024 at 9:45 p.m. by Chief Deputy Coroner, Jason T. Smith. The cause of death is thermal burns and smoke inhalation and his manner of death is ruled an accident.

The incident occurred in the north bound lane of the Pennsylvania Turnpike just south of the Hickory Run Service Plaza.

Schweizer’s vehicle collided the read of a tractor-trailer and caught on fire.

Along with the Carbon County Coroner’s Office, this incident is being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police Turnpike Division and the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit. Other responding agencies were Lehighton Ambulance, Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, and Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Traffic was detoured while state police conducted reconstruction of the incident.