TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY — A quiet winter morning on Interstate 80 turned into tragedy early Monday when a pickup truck carrying two Pennsylvania men left the roadway, plunged down a steep embankment and slammed into a tree. Both occupants were thrown from the vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Emergency crews were called to the eastbound lanes of I‑80 near mile marker 289.6 just after 10:30 a.m. on January 5. First responders found the truck off the highway, its front end crumpled into a large tree. Neither the driver, 25‑year‑old Adam Lander of Cranberry, nor his passenger, 32‑year‑old Nathaniel Durell of Franklin, were inside the truck when crews arrived. Both had suffered catastrophic blunt force injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Pennsylvania State Police officials said the crash remains under active investigation, and it’s still unclear why the vehicle veered off the interstate. No other vehicles were involved, and no charges have been announced. Troopers from the Fern Ridge barracks are continuing to piece together the events leading up to the deadly crash.
Coroner Thomas A. Yanac ruled both deaths accidental. Investigators confirmed that both men were ejected from the pickup during the violent impact with the tree, suggesting that neither occupant was restrained at the time of the crash, although that detail has not been publicly confirmed by authorities.
Friends and family have begun to share memories of Lander and Durell, describing them as valued members of their communities. Lander, remembered for his easygoing nature and loyalty, had deep roots in Venango County, where friends say he poured his energy into his relationships and future goals. Durell’s family has also expressed deep sorrow, with many community members offering prayers and support as the news spread.
This stretch of Interstate 80, a busy artery connecting Pennsylvania with points west and east, sees a mix of local and long‑distance traffic daily. Accidents on high‑speed rural interstates can turn deadly in an instant, especially when a vehicle leaves the pavement and rolls or strikes fixed objects like trees.
State police urged drivers to stay alert and drive at speeds suitable for the conditions, particularly in winter, when ice and snow can make the road surface unpredictable. For now, the investigation continues as troopers work to determine what caused the pickup to drift off the roadway that morning.
