Weekend Multi-Vehicle Accidents Shut Down PA Interstates

A rash of multi-vehicle accidents shut down portions of I-79 and I-80 Saturday leaving hundreds of motorists stranded for hours.  The accidents were attributed to the winter weather and near white-out conditions.  The Weather Channel reported there was a visibility of just one quarter-mile with heavy snow falling and winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour at the time of the accidents.

A 20-vehicle pileup on I-80 in Venango County, just east of the I-79/I-80 interchange near Franklin, PA, left three people dead and at least six people injured. The interstate was shut down for hours as police and rescue workers cleared the wreckage.  At one point traffic was backed up for over 13 miles.  School buses and rescue squad vehicles were used to bring nearly 75 stranded motorists to the Clintonville fire hall where they could eat and stay warm.  That accident occurred around 3:45 p.m.

Earlier in the day on I-79 near exit 130 in Mercer another accident involving over 30 vehicles, including at least two semi-trucks, shut down the interstate for close to three hours.  According to the news reports, both the southbound and northbound lanes were closed so crews could clear vehicles and transport the injured. Over 15 wreckers were needed to remove the damaged vehicles.  No fatalities or injuries were reported.

Multiple other crashes were reported around the areas due to the poor visibility.

These accidents come on the heels of other deadly multi-vehicle accidents in Florida and Tennessee.  In Tennessee, a wintry mix was to blame for an 18-vehichle crash on I-75 in Campbell County, TN, that left dozens injured on Feb. 19.  On Jan. 29, a 19 vehicle pile-up on I-75 near Gainesville, Florida left eleven people dead and at least 21 people injured.

Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys extend our condolences to all the families involved in these tragic accidents.  We also encourage everyone to drive carefully as bad weather causes dangerous driving conditions.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys Today

If you have been injured or a loved one killed in a vehicle accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be able to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering.  Please call Munley, Munley & Cartwright’s lawyers at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.