SOUTH ABINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Investigators are looking at several things when it comes to the deadly crash on Interstate 81 near Clarks Summit Friday.
Was there a problem with the truck? The driver? Many questions linger over what led up to the crash that took the life of tow truck operator David Duchnik Jr.
Authorities impounded the big rig and at last check were getting a search warrant in order to inspect the vehicle. The tractor trailer's driver would undergo questioning as well as drug and alcohol testing.
Some trucking companies, including Road Scholar in Dunmore, would immediately deal with the driver.
"If someone were involved in a serious accident you’re going to pull them out of the truck, for sure," said Jim Barrett of Road Scholar.
Barrett's Road Scholar trucks travel 8 million miles per year. Barrett insists safety is paramount to the operation and driver logs keep track how long they are behind the wheel.
"A driver is restricted. They have an 11 hour limit with 14 hour on duty status. I have no clue how long this fella was on the road," he said.
Newswatch 16 reached out to Pocono Logistic, the trucking company involved in Friday's deadly crash on Interstate 81 that killed tow truck operator David Duchnik Junior.
A spokesperson for the Stroudsburg area-based company would not comment other than to say it is cooperating with the investigation.
One look at the company's federal safety rating and we discovered its out of service rate is slightly above the national average at 21 percent. Records show just within the past year, a Pocono Logistic driver was caught lying on a time-log, two others were caught driving with suspended CDLs.
"They will find out what caused that issue, as tragic as it is, your heart has to go out for that family," added Barrett.
Pocono Logistic also tells Newswatch 16 the driver of the tractor-trailer was expected to be released from the hospital Monday.
State police said the man from Massachusetts complained of chest pain after the wreck Friday.
The investigation into the cause of the deadly wreck could take weeks.
