A fatal accident on Interstate 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania claimed the lives of five women, thought to be from the same family, who were hit by a tractor-trailer after leaving their vehicles.

The tragic event took place on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, during challenging weather conditions.

Around 5:15 p.m., close to Scott Township, north of Scranton, a 2022 Honda Odyssey minivan carrying four women was heading north when it lost control and hit a median barrier. The impact left the minivan disabled in the left lane of the highway.

Two family members, who had been driving behind in an Audi A6, halted on the right shoulder of the highway after seeing the accident.

After exiting the Audi, they joined two individuals from the minivan who had also left the vehicle. As they stood by the car, an oncoming tractor-trailer collided with the driver’s side of the Odyssey, hitting the four pedestrians and killing three. The two remaining occupants of the minivan also lost their lives.

The casualties of this fatal accident were identified by the Pennsylvania State Police and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The deceased were identified as Fatma Ahmed, 71, from Binghamton; Shahzinaz Mizouri, 56, from Vestal; Berivan Zebara, 43, and Aleen Ameen, 19, both from Johnson City; and Harvrist Zebari, 42, from Endwell, according to the report.

The Audi driver, Parjan Ameen, 22, of Johnson City, sustained moderate injuries, while the tractor-trailer operator suffered minor injuries.

The Pennsylvania State Police have begun a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to this devastating accident.