ERIE COUNTY, Ohio — A winter storm impacting tens of millions of Americans is blamed for a massive crash that forced the Ohio Turnpike to shut down for several miles.
The Ohio Turnpike was shut down Friday afternoon both east and westbound between exits 91 and 118, WTOL reported.
Officials told WTVG the first crashes were reported around 11:45 a.m., with the massive pileup starting shortly thereafter at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Ohio State Highway Patrol officials told WEWS that an estimated 50 vehicles were involved in the crashes, which happened on the eastbound lanes of I-80. Officials said whiteout conditions caused the accidents.
“This is going to be ongoing for a while,” a spokesperson for OSHP told WTVG. “There are a lot of troopers and first responders out there working through this.”
A video posted to social media by a driver shows dozens of cars, including pickup trucks and semis, with one truck wedged on top of other cars.
@WTOL11Toledo this is what it looks like on the turnpike in Erie county right now! Stay safe out there! pic.twitter.com/rj7IDMskw8
— Bryce VanDoren (@PugsPhD) December 23, 2022
Toledo Fire & Rescue shared photos from the scene on social media which showed rows of emergency vehicles staged to respond.
INCIDENT TYPE: Mutual Aid Request - Sandusky County Sheriff
— Toledo Fire & Rescue (@ToledoFire) December 23, 2022
INCIDENT DETAILS:
(December 23, 2022): TFRD extrication resources are assisting in Sandusky Co with a multiple vehicle accident on the Ohio Turnpike near mile post 118. #toledofire #mutalaid pic.twitter.com/Cou4WafNL8
OSHP said Friday night that three people were killed in the crash.
🚨UPDATE: Troopers on scene confirm three fatalities. Crews continue to clear vehicles from the roadway. White-out conditions persist. Travel is not recommended.#OhioTurnpikeMP106Crash
— OSHP_NWOhio (@OSHP_NWOhio) December 24, 2022
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