The driver of a Nissan Frontier pickup truck was flown from the scene by medical helicopter after he crashed into the rear of a triaxle truck on Tuesday. He later died. Harmony Fire District/Submitted photo

JACKSON TWP — A Crawford County man has died from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Interstate 79.

State police announced later that afternoon that Eric J. Ruhlman, 52, of Atlantic, Pa., died a short time after being airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Butler County 911 dispatched emergency crews at 6:05 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash on I-79 South near mile marker 87.5 just north of the on-ramps.

Upon arrival, firefighters found Ruhlman trapped inside a 2019 Nissan Frontier pickup with heavy front-end damage.

According to state police, Ruhlman’s vehicle struck the rear of a triaxle truck driven by Harry P. Swab, 51, of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County.

Police confirmed Swab was uninjured. Both drivers were alone in their respective vehicles.

The driver of a Nissan Frontier pickup truck was flown from the scene by medical helicopter with suspected serious injuries after he crashed into the rear of a triaxle truck. Harmony Fire District/Submitted photo

Police said both vehicles were southbound, and the crash occurred as Ruhlman’s Ford Frontier hit the rear of the truck as the vehicles approached Exit 88.

Swab was wearing a seat belt and Ruhlman was not, police said.

Crews remained on scene for more than an hour as the vehicles and debris were cleared. Throughout that time, all southbound lanes were blocked.

Portersville firefighters diverted southbound traffic at the Portersville exit, and traffic on Route 19 also was congested.

State police, Harmony EMS, Cranberry EMS, Harmony Fire District, Portersville Muddy Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department, Adams Area Fire District, and Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company all responded to the accident.

The accident did not impact students or staff arriving at the Seneca Valley School District’s secondary campus, according to Linda Andreassi, district communications director.