Five die after trucks hit crashed tour bus on Pennsylvania Turnpike

Sixty people injured in pileup after three tractor-trailers loaded with parcels crash into bus that had struck an embankment in Westmoreland County.

Image: Jim Allen/FreightWaves

At least five people died and 60 were injured on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Sunday morning after three tractor-trailers hit a tour bus that had struck an embankment, authorities said.

The accident occurred about 3:40 a.m. as the bus traveled downhill in a curve in the Turnpike’s westbound lanes, 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, in the Mount Pleasant Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Holly Reber-Billings tweeted

The three trucks, loaded with parcels, were traveling behind the bus, Reber-Billings said. A passenger vehicle was also involved, she added.

Early Associated Press images from the crash scene appeared to show a FedEX tractor-trailer as one of the involved trucks.

Five people died at the scene. Paramedics transported the injured to area hospitals. 

Authorities have yet to release the names of the victims. It was unclear of any of the victims are truck drivers.

“Keeping victims and their families in my prayers,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf tweeted.

As of 1:30 p.m. Sunday, more than 80 miles of the Turnpike’s westbound lanes remained closed from New Stanton to Breezewood, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Fraud & Security

Freight Fraud Symposium

Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.

May 20, 2026
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH
Register Now
AI & Technology

Supply Chain AI Symposium

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

July 15, 2026
The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL
Register Now
Rail & Policy

Future of Rail Symposium

Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.

July 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Fraud & Security Freight Fraud Symposium May 20 • Cleveland, OH

Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH Register Now
AI & Technology Supply Chain AI Symposium Jul 15 • Chicago, IL

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL Register Now
Rail & Policy Future of Rail Symposium Jul 28 • Chattanooga, TN

Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now