State police at the Fogelsville barracks said a New Tripoli man was driving a vehicle that caused a four-vehicle accident at 6:49 p.m. Dec. 21 on Interstate 78 in Upper Macungie Township.

Police said Richard Gerchufsky, 59, was driving a 2006 Mitsubishi Galant on Route 22 westbound and was merging onto I-78 when it sideswiped a 2010 Sabaru Outback driven by Kathleen Buchheit, 69, of Womelsdorf. Police said Gerchufsky then lost control of the Galant, which started to spin and hit a 2003 Chrysler Sebring driven by Gregory Searfoss, 38, of Germansville, in the rear, causing the Sebring to hit a barrier.Police said Gerchufsky's vehicle continued spinning and struck the rear of a 2004 Ford Taurus operated by Tave Faust, 41, of Macungie, before coming to rest.Police said the Galant and the Sebring sustained disabling damages and were towed from the scene while the Outback and Taurus received minor damages.Police said Searfoss was transported to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.The interstate was shut down for 90 minutes because of the crash.