HAZLE TOWNSHIP -- Two people are dead after a crash between a tractor trailer and an ATV in Luzerne County.
The crash happened at the intersection of Route 924 known as the Can Do Expressway and the ramp to Interstate 81.
State police say two people riding on an ATV were killed in the crash. Neither was wearing a helmet.
According state police, Amber Judge, 31, and Eric Baker, 23, both from Nuremberg were on that ATV.
As they were driving along Route 924 heading toward Hazleton, witnesses say the two ran a red light and crashed into a tractor trailer. The ATV was reported stolen earlier in the day Thursday.
People who live in the area say the roads are bustling with more ATVs than ever before.
"There's more and more ATVs. I'm not against them because it gives them something to do in the woods riding instead of getting in trouble,” said Jo-Anne Montes of Hazle Township.
Lorena Pacheco lives near where it all happened and sees ATVs on the road every single day. That makes her nervous when she's out driving.
"Sometimes you're driving and you don't know when somebody is going to come in the ATV driving fast and you're going to hit it by accident,” said Pacheco.
As far as the rules of the road go, it is legal for ATVs to cross any state road. However, it is illegal for them to continuously drive on one, which is what happened in this case.
Not far from where the crash happened is Holeshot Cycle and Accessories which specializes in dirt bikes and ATVs. Owner Melanie Dickson told us she knows how important it is that ATVs stick to the dirt paths and away from busy roads now more than ever.
"There's ATVs, there's motorcycles, there's UTVs now. They're very popular now so there's a ton of them out there and they need to be careful, obey the rules and ride where they should ride and be safe,” said Dickson.
State police say the ATV was heading towards Hazleton and was driving illegally on Route 924.
Witnesses told police the ATV ran a red light and that's when it smacked into the tractor trailer. The big rig just got off the Hazleton exit of Interstate 81 and was trying to make a left when the crash happened.
Police say the truck will be inspected but they don't expect to charge the tractor trailer driver.
It also should be noted that ATVs are not allowed to drive on these types of highways.
