Two Accidents – One Fatal – Close I-78 in Lower Saucon

UPDATE - 1:52pm: PennDOT has announced that I-78 westbound is now open between Route 33 and Route 412 in Northampton County. That section of the highway was closed earlier as authorities responded to and cleaned up a fatal accident.

UPDATE - 10:30am: I-78 East was reopen as of 9:15am, according to PennDOT. The eastbound lanes were closed between Routes 309 and 412 earlier this morning following an accident. The westbound lanes of the highway remain closed between Routes 33 and 412 as officials continue to clean up a hazardous materials spill and investigate a fatal accident that occurred around 4am.

If you're trying to use Interstate 78 in Northampton County this morning, forget about it--at least for the time being.

As of 8:20am Interstate 78 West in Lower Saucon remained closed due to a multiple vehicle accident, PennDOT announced in an email update.

Channel 69 is reporting that one person was killed in the accident, which reportedly happened before 4am.

Meanwhile, the Morning Call is reporting that I-78 East is now completely shut down in the same area due to another accident that occurred shortly after 8am.

Earlier reports were that I-78 East was open, but that there were significant delays.

A westbound portion of the highway is now closed between Route 33 (Exit 71) and Route 412 (Exit 67), according to PennDOT. And an eastbound portion of the highway is closed between Route 309 (Exit 60) and Route 412, PennDOT said in a separate statement.

Motorists are being advised to use Route 22 as an alternate route.

According to PennDOT, the crash that occurred at around 4am occurred near mile marker 67.5, which is just east of the Route 412 exit.

The Morning Call is reporting that that accident involved a car driving the wrong way on I-78 and a tractor-trailer, and that it resulted in a fuel spill requiring hazardous materials cleanup.

PennDOT said motorists should "expect significant delays on Lehigh Valley highways," this morning.

To view a live traffic cam of the Route 412 interchange on I-78 and receive updates on traffic conditions throughout the Lehigh Valley, visit PennDOT's traffic information website, www.511PA.com.