WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. (EYT) – State police say a tractor-trailer veered off of Interstate 80 to avoid a collision after another operator made an unsafe merge into traffic in Washington Township.
According to DuBois-based State Police, around 5:37 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 68-year-old Varkis Avanesian, of Paramus, N.J., was operating a 2015 Freightliner, merging onto Interstate 80 westbound near mile marker 88, in Washington Township, Jefferson County.
Police say Avanesian made an unsafe merge in front of a 2009 Kenworth tractor-trailer operated by 22-year-old Rodion Topchii, of Kirkland, Washington. from the stop sign located on the rest area’s ramp merging traffic back onto Interstate 80’s westbound lane.
According to police, Topchii then veered off the roadway and overturned his vehicle to avoid striking Avanesian’s vehicle.
Topchii was treated for minor injuries at the scene by Jefferson County EMS but refused transport to a hospital.
Avanesian was not injured.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.
Avanesian was charged with a traffic violation.
Pine Creek Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene.
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