Accident Involving Box Truck Causes Route 581 Closure

Henrik Larsen

3 min read

Post on May 22, 2025

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Details of the Box Truck Accident on Route 581

The accident involved a large, refrigerated box truck and a passenger sedan. Initial reports suggest that the box truck, owned by "ABC Refrigerated Transport," lost control, veering across the median and colliding with the sedan.

• Nature of the Accident: Head-on collision between a refrigerated box truck and a Honda Civic.
• Injuries: The driver of the Honda Civic sustained moderate injuries and has been transported to Hershey Medical Center. The box truck driver reported minor injuries.
• Vehicle Information: The box truck was a 2022 Freightliner, and the passenger vehicle was a 2018 Honda Civic.
• Additional Details: Police are investigating whether weather conditions played a role in the accident.

Impact of the Route 581 Closure on Traffic

The Route 581 closure is causing significant traffic congestion. Significant traffic backups are stretching for miles in both directions, impacting commuters and businesses alike. Travel times have increased dramatically, with some drivers reporting delays exceeding two hours.

• Traffic Congestion: Traffic is backed up for several miles in both directions, creating significant delays on Route 581 and surrounding roadways.
• Alternative Routes: Drivers are advised to use Route 322 or Interstate 81 as alternative routes. However, these routes are also experiencing increased traffic volume.
• Estimated Delays: Delays are expected to continue throughout the day, potentially impacting rush hour traffic.
• Traffic Advisories: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has issued several traffic advisories and is directing traffic via detours.

Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation

Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance crews, responded swiftly to the scene. The Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation into the cause of the Route 581 box truck accident.

• Emergency Services: Multiple police, fire, and EMS units responded to the scene.
• Road Closures: Route 581 remains completely closed between exits 14 and 16 while the accident is investigated and the scene cleared.
• Ongoing Investigation: The police are investigating the cause of the accident, including factors such as driver impairment, mechanical failure, and weather conditions.
• Arrests: No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Advice for Drivers and Commuters

Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the area surrounding the Route 581 closure if possible. Use alternative routes such as Route 322 or I-81.

• Avoid the Area: Drivers should avoid the area of the Route 581 closure to minimize delays and contribute to smoother traffic flow.
• Traffic Updates: Check traffic updates regularly through reliable sources such as 511PA, local news websites, and traffic apps like Waze or Google Maps.
• Safe Driving: Drive cautiously and patiently, maintaining a safe following distance, and being aware of emergency vehicles.
• Relevant Resources: For up-to-date information on traffic conditions, visit the PennDOT website (link here) and your local news channels.

Staying Informed About the Route 581 Closure

In summary, a serious box truck accident has led to a complete closure of Route 581 near Harrisburg, causing major traffic disruptions. The accident involved a box truck and a passenger vehicle, resulting in injuries. The Route 581 closure impacts commuters and necessitates using alternative routes. The investigation is ongoing. For the latest updates on the Route 581 closure and the box truck accident, continue to check back with us or your preferred local news source, such as [link to local news] and [link to PennDOT]. Stay safe and be aware of traffic conditions before you travel.