2 dead after pileups on snowy Ohio Turnpike

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Authorities in northern Ohio say two people have been killed and a trooper seriously injured in crashes involving at least 50 vehicles on the Ohio Turnpike.

Pileups in the snow stretched across a two-mile section in the eastbound lanes of the toll road this afternoon midway between Toledo and Cleveland.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says a trooper responding to one accident suffered serious injuries when he was pinned between two vehicles.

Another series of pileups about 10 miles to the east shut down the turnpike’s westbound lanes near Sandusky.

Authorities are warning drivers to stay off the turnpike in Erie and Sandusky counties because of crashes brought on by heavy and blowing snow.

The patrol says emergency workers are having a difficult time responding because of the conditions and backups.