A promising young life ended all too soon Aug. 3 when U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman First Class Austin T. Zalik died in a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 78.

The 2009 graduate of Parkland High School, was killed when his pickup truck rolled down an embankment and was struck by a tractor-trailer on I-78, Greenwich Township, Berks County.

According to State Police Troop, L, Hamburg, Zalik's 1990 Toyota pickup was parked in the lot of Rauch's Service Station, 1510 Krumsville Road, (Route 737) facing I-78 when it rolled down the enbankment at 6:33 a.m. onto the interstate.

Krzysztof Borkowski, 53, of Hempstead, N.Y., was driving a 2005 Volvo UNL in the left lane of travel, passing another tractor-trailer, when his vehicle struck the driver's side of Zalik's pickup, police say.

Upon impact, the tractor-trailer pushed the pickup east, veering to the right.

Both vehicles came to rest blocking the right, eastbound lane and south shoulder of I-78.

Berks County Deputy Coroner Jonn Hollenbach, who pronounced Zalik dead at the scene at 8:01 a.m., said he died from head and chest injuries.

Borkowski, who police say was wearing a seat belt, was uninjured.

As a result of this crash, traffic was stopped on I-78 East for approximately four hours between Exits 35 and 40.

Drivers were detoured onto Old Route 22 until the scene was cleared.

Kutztown Fire Department and Fire Police, Hamburg Ambulance Corps assisted at the scene.

Before graduation from high school, Zalik, 21, the son of Jacqueline and Matthew Zalik, competed at the Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, in Allentown.

He earned first-team Academic All-American honors from 2006-09 and helped the Men's Gymnastic Team win four-straight state titles.

Following his death, the Parkettes issued the following statement on Facebook: "Austin Zalik was an amazing young man with so much ahead. Why do these things happen?

"Our entire Parkettes family is sick over this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

According to Navysports.com, Zalik was on summer leave from the academy.

"The Naval Academy is deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss," Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Michael Miller said. "Our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to Austin's family and friends during this very difficult time."

Zalik was a member of the 9th Company and an ocean engineering major at the academy.

He was a member of the Navy gymnastics team and was selected as captain of the team for the upcoming season.

He would have graduated from the Naval Academy in 2013.

Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, nominated Zalik to the U.S. Naval Academy.

He issued the following statement upon hearing of Zalik's death: "I was incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Austin Zalik.

"I was honored to nominate him for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009. During the nomination process, Austin proved to be an extremely mature and driven young man. He was an impressive student at Parkland High School and accomplished gymnast at Parkettes in Allentown.

"It came as no surprise to learn he was excelling as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Austin's family and friends at this difficult time, especially his parents Jacqueline and Matthew, and sister Chandler.

"Austin will be deeply missed by those in the Lehigh Valley and Naval Academy communities of who were fortunate enough to know him."