NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Pa. — Family, friends, and former communities across New Jersey and beyond are mourning the tragic loss of Tyler R. Kolaja, a 33-year-old Hamburg resident, who died Monday night in a crash on Interstate 78 Eastbound near Glendon Borough. The incident occurred around 10:15 p.m. on June 16, according to Pennsylvania State Police Troop M – Belfast and the Northampton County Coroner’s Office.
According to investigators, Kolaja was pushing a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox that had run out of gas along the right lane of I-78, while a female passenger steered from inside the SUV. In a devastating sequence of events, an oncoming tractor-trailer collided with both the Equinox and a disabled tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder, fatally striking Kolaja in the process.
He died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries, and his death was ruled accidental, Coroner Zachary R. Lysek confirmed.
The woman involved in the incident was transported to Saint Luke’s Anderson Hospital for treatment. Her current condition has not been disclosed.
The crash caused all eastbound lanes of I-78 to close overnight as crews investigated the scene and cleared the wreckage. Lanes reopened by 4 a.m. Tuesday, with traffic temporarily detoured to Route 33.
Kolaja’s passing has sent waves of grief through those who knew him. Described by friends as a “one-of-a-kind human” and a “genuine 1-in-a-billion,” Tyler left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His energy was infectious—“a beam of light when he entered a room,” one tribute read. Loved ones recall the joy, spontaneity, and magnetic spirit that defined him, noting that stories about Tyler often involve laughter, adventure, and unforgettable moments.
Born in New Jersey, Kolaja had previously lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as in Highland Lakes, Hewitt, and Vernon, New Jersey, according to public records.
While the investigation into the fatal collision is still ongoing, the impact of Kolaja’s loss is already deeply felt. As family and friends process the grief of losing such a vibrant life, many have taken to social media to share memories and celebrate the remarkable soul that was Tyler Kolaja.
Anyone with additional information about the crash is encouraged to contact the PSP Belfast Patrol Unit.
Tyler’s memory now lives on through the lives he touched—with a smile, with a laugh, or with one of the countless wild and beautiful moments he left behind.