Crash closes I-99

EAST FREEDOM — An Osterburg couple suffered major injuries in a two-vehicle crash that closed Interstate 99 for about two hours Monday afternoon.

State police at Hollidaysburg said driver Leon Knisely and passenger Lois Knisely, both 74, were injured after their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer at 2:08 p.m.

Police said Leon Knisely was attempting to use an emergency turnaround between the northbound and southbound lanes when a tractor-trailer driven by Philip Seales, 49, of Florida struck the car.

Seales suffered moderate injuries.

The Kniselys were taken to Altoona Regional Health System, but Lois Knisely later was taken by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh. Seales was taken to Nason Hospital in Roaring Spring.

Lois Knisely’s condition is unknown, and an investigation of the accident is continuing, police said.

Three lanes of the interstate were closed between the Claysburg/King and Ebensburg/Hollidaysburg exits, PennDOT said. The road reopened about 4:20 p.m.

Ambulances from AMED and Duncansville responded to the scene, along with firefighters from Blair Township-Duncansville, Freedom Township, Roaring Spring and Claysburg.