WASHINGTON COUNTY — Tractor-Trailer Head-on Crash on 1-70 Kills Woman & 4-Year-Old, Hits House

WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA (May 15, 2025) —  A woman and her 4-year-old son died in a crash with a tractor-trailer on Sunday, May 11.

The crash occurred around 1 p.m. near the Claysville exit on Interstate 70. The car was headed west when it crossed the median into the eastbound lanes, striking a tractor-trailer head-on.

The impact of the crash launched the tractor-trailer up an embankment and into the back of a home located along the side of the highway.

The child was not in a car seat. The mother and the driver, who is the child’s father,  were both not wearing seatbelts.

The woman was declared dead at the scene. The child was taken via helicopter to UPMC Washington Hospital. He was shortly declared dead after arrival. The driver was flown to another hospital in Pittsburgh for unspecified injuries. No information is currently known on the status of the driver.

 Investigations continue.

Wrong-Way Fatal Accidents in Pennsylvania with Tractor-Trailers

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident requires specialized legal knowledge. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, even in tragic circumstances.

Understanding the most frequent causes of wrong-way accidents can help raise awareness about preventable tragedies:

• Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs significantly impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination.
• Distracted Driving: Using phones, adjusting entertainment systems, or any activity that takes attention away from the road can be deadly.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to respond to hazards and increases crash severity.
• Reckless Driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving through traffic, or running red lights put everyone at risk.
• Fatigue: Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, impairing reaction time and decision-making.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, and fog contribute to fatal accidents when drivers fail to adjust accordingly.

If you were involved in a traumatic accident in Western PA, the Pittsburgh car accident attorneys at Munley Law can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.

Disclaimer: All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.