PITTSTON TWP. — A head on collision involving a tractor-trailer caused major traffic issues off Route 315 today.

Pittston Township Police Sgt. Peter Hockenberry said a Ford Explorer was traveling southbound on Armstrong Road, off Route 315, when the vehicle swerved into the other lane and crashed into a tractor-trailer which was carrying clothes.

Hockenberry said the driver became distracted and lost control of the vehicle. The trailer immediately burst into flames, and traffic on Armstrong Road was backed up about a half mile in both directions.

The Pittston Township Volunteer Fire Department, Pittston Township and Duryea fire departments, Pittston Township EMS and Pittston Township police all responded to the scene.

Related Video

The driver of the tractor-trailer did not have any injuries and was able to get out of the vehicle, Hockenberry said. He said the driver of the Explorer was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township with minor injuries.

Firefighters worked to put out the fire, which traveled into the back of the trailer.

Hockenberry said the crash could have ended differently if both parties didn’t have their seat belts on.

“It would have been a lot worse,” he said.

Firefighters work to put out a fire caused by a tractor-trailer collision in Pittston Township on Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IMG_3570-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFirefighters work to put out a fire caused by a tractor-trailer collision in Pittston Township on Thursday. Brigid Edmunds | Times Leader

A Ford Explorer crashed into a tractor-trailer on Armstrong Road off Route 315 in Pittston Township on Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IMG_3567-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA Ford Explorer crashed into a tractor-trailer on Armstrong Road off Route 315 in Pittston Township on Thursday. Brigid Edmunds | Times Leader

By Brigid Edmunds

bedmunds@timesleader.com

Reach Brigid Edmunds at 570-991-6119 or on Twitter @TLNews