By Frank Andruscavage

Republican & Herald, Pottsville

(TNS) The driver of a tractor trailer escaped serious injuries when his vehicle slammed into a business early Monday morning.

The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. when the truck went off of Route 61, slammed into and went through the south side of Russo's Pizza Den, 1353 Centre Turnpike.

The driver was trapped inside the tractor portion of his truck for several hours while rescue crews from Orwigsburg, Pottsville and Mahanoy City worked to stabilize the building that was partially on top of the vehicle.

Rescuers said the driver was talking and did not appear to have serious injuries.

State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating the crash and said the driver, who was not yet identified, was apparently traveling south, crossed over the northbound lane and went off of the road and into the building.

Due to the location of the building, sitting off of the road, area fire police were able to keep both northbound and southboun traffic on Route 61 open.

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