I-80 WB reopens after 4 confirmed dead from nearly 50-vehicle pileup on Ohio Turnpike

WHIO Staff
·2 min read
5

Update at 3:50 a.m. ET, Dec. 24:

Nearly 50 vehicles crashed in a pileup, including 15 commercial trucks, that left four dead and multiple injured, causing the Ohio Turnpike to close Friday afternoon.

News Center 7 initially reported that Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the crash on I-80 eastbound between Route 53 and State Route 4 in Groton Township in Erie County.

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The Ohio Turnpike’s westbound lanes remained closed for about nine hours, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Twitter page.

In that time, troopers handled the four confirmed dead victims, the multiple people who were injured, and the numerous vehicles piled up in the crash.

>> MORE: Winter storm causes strings of crashes along I-70, I-75

So far, the westbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike between exit 118 at US-250 and exit 91 at state Route 53 have reopened, the Ohio State Highway Patrol tweet stated.

However, the eastbound lanes still remain closed.

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The crash still remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“This is a stark reminder of what can happen when you get behind the wheel and try to drive in bad weather conditions,” Sergeant Ryan Purpura of Ohio State Highway Patrol warned.

“We ask that you do not travel unless you absolutely have to. If you do have to travel, we ask that you take precautions, take it slow, be patient, wear your safety belt, and increase your following distance,” Purpura continued.

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Update at 9:20 p.m. ET, Dec. 23:

A nearly 50-vehicle pileup that left four dead and multiple injured closed down the Ohio Turnpike Friday afternoon.

Ohio State Highway Patrol crews respond to multiple crashes on I-80 eastbound between Route 53 and State Route 4 in Groton Township in Erie County.

Troopers have confirmed that at least four people are dead and multiple injuries have been reported.

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Buses were used to take people from their vehicles to a local facility so they could stay warm.

As of 9 p.m., the turnpike remains closed in both directions between exit 91 & exit 118 as crews work to clear 15 commercial vehicles from the roadway.

OSP said they will provide details on the crash on their Twitter.

Whiteout conditions were blamed for the crashes, which shut down the turnpike for hours in both directions.
Whiteout conditions were blamed for the crashes, which shut down the turnpike for hours in both directions.