7-vehicle crash shuts down I-70 westbound in Washington County; 3 hospitalized

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A seven-vehicle crash shut down Interstate 70 westbound in Washington County on Friday.

The crash happened just before 2 p.m. near mile marker 15 in Canton Township, according to a release from Pennsylvania State Police.

A tow truck was driving in the middle lane of I-70 eastbound while a car was merging onto the highway from Exit 15.

The car didn’t properly check if it was safe to merge and hit the tow truck, PSP says.

The car ended up on the left side of I-70 eastbound, but the tow truck went through the guardrail and into I-70 westbound. It was then hit by another car and went down into a ditch.

A chain reaction was set off, ultimately involving seven total vehicles, according to the release.

The tow truck driver and the third car’s driver were taken to area hospitals with suspected serious injuries, PSP says. Another driver also sustained a suspected serious injury and was hospitalized.

Four drivers, including the person in the first car, were uninjured or declined being taken to the hospital.

I-70 westbound was closed for about two hours while emergency crews cleared the scene, PSP says.

Assisting agencies include PennDOT, Washington County HazMat, Ambulance and Chair EMS, Burks Towing, A1 Towing, Canton Township VFD and North Franklin VFD.

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