Black ice to blame in several Thursday morning accidents

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Black ice is likely to blame in dozens of accidents in and around the Pittsburgh area Thursday morning.

Just south of the city, along interstates 79 and 70, Channel 11’s Dave Bondy found traffic back ups for miles while crews worked to clear multiple accidents.

In Washington County, a four-car accident in Southpointe caused traffic to back up for at least eight miles.

In Claysville, another driver lost control and slammed into a sign. The driver was taken to an area hospital, but is expected to be OK.

One man traveling from Ohio said the conditions were treacherous.

“There was a fatality accident in Ohio. It had everybody getting off the road. The road was closed over there,” driver Jim Freyermuth said.

State police said black ice was the cause of the majority of the crashes reported Thursday morning.

In Butler County, a car careened into a house while a family was inside. While police responded to the first accident, a second car crashed just feet away.

Around 9 a.m. the homeowner said she heard the car spin out of control and hit the front of her Cabot, Butler County home.

“It sounded like a bomb going off. I knew exactly what it was. I knew it was a car. The whole house shook,” said Erin Lazor.

The impact from the crash damaged her home’s door and siding.

“Thank goodness the living room is on the side of the house. Everyone screamed,” Lazor said.

State police said as they were on scene, another vehicle struck an icy spot and slammed into Lazor’s tree.

The driver spoke to Channel 11’s Lori Houy.

“I was going down the road and I saw the officer’s lights. I slowed down and lost control of the vehicle,” Ethan Ritzer said.

Troopers said the snow-covered roads and speed were to blame.

In O’Hara Township, Allegheny County a little girl was hurt in a crash on Freeport Road.

Officials said a van and a pickup truck collided near the intersection of Powers Run Road around 7 a.m.

Police said the driver of the pickup truck had no time to stop. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital.

The girl was also hurt and is being treated at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Their names and conditions have not been released.

[Harness the power of Severe Weather Center 11 with Pittsburgh TV's only weather-specific app. It's a FREE download! [iTunes App Store (iPad/iPhone) & Google Play (Android)].  Stay up-to-the minute on weather by following WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.]

WPXI