The westbound lanes of I-180 were shut down at the Fairfield Road interchange, east of Montoursville, on Friday night after a pedestrian was struck on the interstate. Even though drivers could get right back on using the on-ramp, the accident still caused a traffic jam that was about a half a mile long.  PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

The pedestrian killed Friday night on Interstate 180 at the Fairfield Road interchange has been identified as John Erdos, 42, of South Williamsport, according to Lycoming County Coroner.

Erdos was struck by a westbound Chevrolet Tahoe as he was apparently trying to cross the westbound lanes of the highway to return to his motorcycle that he had parked in the north berm, according to investgators.

“He had stopped his motorcycle in order to retrieve an item from the roadway,” Kiessling said police told him.

“He stepped back onto the highway and was struck” about 6:15 p.m., Kiessling said.

Erdos was rushed to UPMC Williamsport, where he died in the operating room as a result of internal bleeding about 8:10 p.m., Kiessling said. The cause of death was ruled “multiple traumatic injuries,” he said.

The driver of the Tahoe was Kenneth Kurth, of Muncy, police said.