PINE GROVE - Dr. David J. Moylan III, Schuylkill County coroner, Sunday released the name of the Schuylkill Haven man who died in a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 81 Saturday morning.
Richard P. Novatka, 42, a native of Shenandoah, was driving a sport-utility vehicle at 8:26 a.m. Saturday when it was struck from behind by a tractor railer near mile marker 99.5 in Pine Grove Township, according to Moylan and state police at Jonestown.
Novatka wasn't wearing a seat belt, police said. He died as the result of blunt force trauma to the chest and pelvis. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Moylan said.
A passenger in the SUV, a Schuylkill Haven man, 45, suffered severe injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center. Police did not release his name.
The two men were traveling south on the interstate in the right lane when, near mile marker 99.5 in Pine Grove Township, when they were struck from behind by a southbound tractor-trailer driven by Roger Porras, 49, of Summit, N.J., police said.
The SUV spun counterclockwise about 90 degrees and struck the end of a guide rail. The SUV overturned several times. The driver and the passenger were ejected, police said.
Police did not release any further information Sunday. When called for comment, state police at Jonestown said the investigation was continuing and no further information was available Sunday.