PHILIPSBURG — RUSH TOWNSHIP — Four people were taken to hospitals after a crash Monday afternoon on U.S. Route 322 westbound.

All four were traveling in a Ford Escape that state police at Philipsburg said rear-ended a tractor-trailer northwest of Enterprise Drive.

The crash occurred at the entrance to the Moshannon Valley Regional Business Park, just after 2:30 p.m.

Police said the truck was in the designated lane of the pull-off area and was preparing to pull into traffic and proceed down the hill. As the driver did so, police said he noticed the Escape in his rear-view mirror and waited for it to pass.

For an unknown reason, police said the Escape swerved to the right, striking the tractor-trailer. The Escape traveled about 25 feet, coming to a rest in the middle of the road, facing north.

Police said the SUV driver was at fault.

Two of the individuals from the SUV were taken by helicopter for treatment. Immediately after the crash, police did not know to which hospital they were taken.

The other two were taken by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center.

The conditions of the four, all men, were not available Monday evening.

The tractor-trailer driver was not injured.

The highway was closed for more than an hour and reopened about 4 p.m.

Police continue to investigate.

Jessica VanderKolk can be reached at 235-3910. Follow her on Twitter @jVanReporter