On Monday, March 28th, a sudden snow squall caused a deadly pileup that killed six people and injured dozens of others. Continue reading to learn more about what happened.
Details of the Crash
The massive motor vehicle crash occurred around 10:30 am Monday morning on I-81. According to the police report, more than 80 vehicles were involved in the crash. A Pennsylvania coroner confirmed that at least six victims have died. As of publication, the accident has been cleared, however, it took several days to do so.
So far, more than 20 people were sent to nearby hospitals.
The Snow Came Out of Nowhere
John Blickley, a deputy emergency management coordinator, said that the accident was likely the result of a sudden snow squall that made it nearly impossible for drivers to see where they were going. The snowfall, accompanied by heavy wind, blinded drivers, making it nearly impossible for drivers to see where they were going.
According to eyewitness, Lillie Weaver, “the snow came out of nowhere.” When asked about the driving conditions, she said that she could only see another car in front of her before everything “…went fully white.”
The deadly crash – that involved 41 passenger vehicles and 39 commercial vehicles – resulted in three tractor-trailers catching on fire, and at least two other smaller fires for passenger vehicles. Between the fires and the heavy snow, it was difficult for emergency services to get to the scene. According to Blickley, this was “the most significant crash we’ve had on the interstate in years.”
Not the First Accident Caused by Sudden Snow
While this accident has been one of the most severe in recent history, unfortunately, it’s not isolated. Back in February 2022, four people were injured as a result of a 50-car pileup on I-81. Like this pileup, the one in February was the result of a sudden snow squall. Fortunately, no one was killed.
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your 1-81 Motor Vehicle Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to the pileup on I-81 in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Matzus Law, LLC represent clients injured because of severe motor vehicle accidents in Pittsburgh, Butler, Greenburg, Washington, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call (412) 206-5300 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 310 Grant Street, Suite 3210, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219.
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