1 Killed, 9 Injured in Massive 25-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 79 in Butler County, Pennsylvania
BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — A devastating multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 79 in Butler County left one person dead and nine others injured on Friday, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Authorities said the crash involved 25 vehicles and occurred on the northbound lanes of I-79 in Jackson Township. The severity of the incident forced officials to shut down both northbound and southbound lanes between Exit 78 and Exit 88 for several hours, beginning around 10:30 a.m. The roadway did not fully reopen until approximately 4 p.m.
Victim Identified, Dozens Stranded on I-79
State police identified the fatal victim as 18-year-old Evan Gingo of Pittsburgh. In addition to the vehicles directly involved in the pileup, at least 20 other vehicles were stranded on the interstate as a result of the crash.
The conditions of the nine injured individuals have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaotic, Icy Conditions
Drivers at the scene described sudden and dangerous road conditions that quickly spiraled out of control. Wendy Graff, who was traveling with her husband in a dump truck, recalled the terrifying moments leading up to the crash.
“Cars, SUVs, and tractor-trailers were sideways across the road and the hillside,” Graff said. “The snow-covered and icy roads came as a complete surprise, and we slid for about 200 feet before regaining control.”
Rapidly changing winter weather is believed to have played a significant role in the crash, though officials have not yet confirmed an exact cause.
Traffic Disruptions and Ongoing Investigation
The crash caused major traffic disruptions throughout the region. Drivers were detoured off the interstate and rerouted onto State Route 19 through Zelienople, leading to significant delays within the borough.
The Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. No additional details have been released at this time.
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