Rush-hour drivers on the U.S. Route 30 Bypass near Coatesville ran straight into gridlock Monday evening after a tractor-trailer crash shut down the highway, left at least one person trapped and injured several others as emergency crews scrambled to the scene. Traffic ground to a halt along the busy corridor, with long detours stretching commuter trips well into the night. Crews shut the bypass between Business Route 30 in Sadsbury Township and Route 82 in Valley Township while first responders worked the wreckage.
The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. in Valley Township, Chester County, according to CBS News Philadelphia, which reported that Chester County dispatch said at least one person was trapped. CBS also reported that both directions of the bypass were closed from Business Route 30 in Sadsbury Township to Route 82 in Valley Township as crews responded.
Pennsylvania State Police say the crash occurred in a construction zone and involved four vehicles, with multiple people hurt, 6abc reported. Chopper 6 video shared by the station showed a tractor-trailer that had gone over a guardrail. According to 6abc, westbound lanes reopened early Tuesday, while the eastbound side stayed shut into the morning for what investigators called an "in-depth" probe.
Where the wreck happened and traffic impact
The collision took place on the Coatesville-Downingtown stretch of the U.S. 30 Bypass, a corridor that local planners have already flagged for safety and capacity upgrades, according to the Valley Township corridor master plan. The shutdown sent drivers onto alternate routes across the area and kept tow trucks and road crews working overnight to clear debris and remove damaged vehicles.
Investigation and what comes next
Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation into what caused the crash and have not released the names or conditions of those involved, 6abc reported. Troopers typically share updates and public information releases on the Pennsylvania State Police newsroom as their work continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact state police or Chester County dispatch.
