PITTSBURGH — Twenty-two vehicles were involved in a pileup crash on the Boulevard of the Allies ramp to Oakland Thursday morning.
The crash happened around 6:20 a.m. Our crews driving by could see the ramp going to Forbes Avenue blocked off by emergency vehicles.
Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said five people had to be taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Several vehicles have to be towed.
A public safety spokesperson said the exact cause is not known at this time but is believed to be weather-related.
Icy roads were reported across the area Thursday morning.
“Drivers should be aware of traffic delays in the area and should drive with caution as roadways are reported to be icy and slick this morning,” the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department said in a Facebook post.
The massive pileup made the morning commute dangerous for hundreds of drivers. Channel 11 Traffic Tracker showed cars crawling along the Parkway East. Several tow truck companies were at the scene for hours, their drivers battling the bitterly cold temperatures as they removed cars from the road and helped as many people as they could.
“The officers, the medics, the fire – we all gotta work together and get the roads cleared up so people can get on their way to work and move on with their day,” said Jake Ianuzzo of Saitta’s Towing.
“It was just a sheet of ice,” said one driver, who didn’t want to be identified. “Somebody rear-ended me trying to stop. You hit your brakes, and you couldn’t stop at all.”
PennDOT confirmed to Channel 11 that they’re responsible for snow and ice maintenance on this section of the road. A spokesperson said a truck spread material on the ramp at 3:39 a.m.
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