At least four people are dead after more than 40 vehicles were involved in a pileup in Ohio early Friday afternoon, authorities have confirmed.
The multi-vehicle crash occurred along the Ohio Turnpike in Sandusky County and involved at least 46 vehicles, the Ohio State Highway Patrol
announced around 2 p.m. local time.
“Weather is a factor in the crash. All parties involved in the crash have been moved to a local facility by bus to stay warm,” the traffic enforcement agency said on
Twitter around 5 p.m. local time. It later
confirmed a total of at least four deaths by around 9 p.m. local time.
“Multiple agencies from several counties are continuing rescue operations. White-out conditions persist. Travel is not recommended,” reads the
announcement around 6:30 p.m. local time.
Governor Mike DeWine acknowledged in a
statement late Friday that at least four Ohioans have died due to weather-related vehicle accidents and noted that more have been injured.
“Our sympathy goes to those families who have lost a loved one during this severe weather situation in Ohio,” he said, adding, “The road conditions continue to be very dangerous across the state, with white-outs and extremely cold temperatures continuing. Please continue to remain home if at all possible and be vigilant with these extremely dangerous road conditions.”
The Ohio Turnpike was closed in both directions between Exit 118 (US-250) and Exit 91 (SR-53) for over 8 hours until around 11:30 p.m. local time, when the Ohio State Highway Patrol announced that the westbound lanes between the exits have opened.
