1 dead, 2 in critical condition after crash on I-79 in Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Over a dozen vehicles were involved in serious crashes on I-70 and I-79 in Washington County on Thursday afternoon.

A Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson says one crash happened on I-70 near the north junction and the other on I-79 at the south junction.

South Strabane Fire Chief Jordan Cramer says calls started coming in soon after 5:30 p.m. for a multivehicle crash on the flyover connecting northbound I-79 to I-70 westbound.

Cramer says first responders arrived to find a “complex crash” involving multiple vehicles, including a semi. Three people were found “heavily trapped” in a passenger vehicle. Multiple crews worked to extricate the victims.

But, Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says the front-seat passenger died on scene. Their identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Warco says the driver and another passenger were taken to area hospitals. They were last said to be in critical condition.

Cramer says a dog also died in the crash.

In all, 13 vehicles were involved, Cramer said. Several other people involved in the incident were checked out by medics on scene, but did not need to go to the hospital.

Cramer says that, due to the number of vehicles involved, a mass casualty incident was declared, which brought in additional ambulances from neighboring counties.

Per the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, I-79 (north) between Exit 33 (US 40/Laboratory) and Exit 34 (I-70 East) was closed until just after 10 a.m.

At the same time as this incident, emergency responders were also called to a two-vehicle crash at the north junction of I-79 and I-70.

I-70 was closed between Exit 11 (Taylorstown) and Exit 17 (Jefferson Avenue), but reopened by 8:45 p.m.

The South Strabane Fire Department says the incidents occurred due to iced-over roadways. The coroner also states in his report that the passenger vehicle lost control due to icy conditions.

PennDOT tells Channel 11 crews were en route when a snow band moved through the area.

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