3 killed in huge pileup on I-78

Associated Press

FREDERICKSBURG, Pa.

A pileup involving dozens of vehicles on a Pennsylvania interstate that killed three people and sent dozens to hospitals appears to have been related to a passing snow squall, authorities said Saturday.

Trooper Justin Summa said three fatalities had been confirmed after the 9:45 a.m. Saturday crash, which involved at least 50 commercial and private vehicles. Police said more than 40 people were transported to several hospitals after the crash on Interstate 78 in Bethel Township.

The pileup left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across three traffic lanes and into the snow-covered median about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Megan Manlove of Penn State Hershey Medical Center said 10 patients had been brought in from the crash, three in critical condition, three with moderate to severe injuries and four with minor injuries.

Trooper Adam Reed said investigators believe that “passing snow squalls played a role in causing the crash.”

PennLive.com reported that some witnesses reported sudden whiteout conditions on the interstate before the crash.

Police said more than 70 people were taken to a warming shelter operated by the American Red Cross at a firehouse in the area.