Full Notification

Wayne County – A crash this morning around 10:20 a.m. on west bound I-70 in Wayne County involved fifteen vehicles and sent four people to the hospital.  I-70 westbound was closed for over 7 ½ hours, snarling traffic on area roadways.

Around 10:20 a.m. troopers and Wayne County Deputies responded to the area of I-70 west bound at the 147 mile marker for a report of a multi vehicle crash, possibly involving up to 30 vehicles, on both sides of I-70.  Once officers arrived and sorted through the vehicles, it was learned that the crash involved a final total of ten semis and 5 passenger cars, all on the west bound side.

Preliminary investigation revealed the area was receiving a snow squall with white out conditions, when a North American Van Lines semi lost control on the icy roadway and jack-knifed across the west bound lanes. A 2000 Freightliner behind the North American truck, driven by Ermst Vieri, age 64 of Ontario, Canada,was able to get stopped, but was struck in the rear by another west bound semi.

Vieri had to be extricated from his truck and suffered a broken left leg.  A passenger in the truck that hit Vieri’s truck, William Leonard, age 60 of Ladogna, Indiana, was transported with foot injuries.  Another Indianapolis man, David Newsome, age 56, had to be extricated from his truck with lower leg injuries when the semi he was driving was struck from behind.

Also transported from the scene was the driver of a 2014 Jeep, Carol Millard, age 38 of Dayton, Ohio.  She was treated and released from Reid Health Systems Hospital in Richmond. Traffic was diverted off of I-70 at the 149 mile marker onto US 35 for over 7 ½ hours while wrecker crews worked to separate the vehicles and remove them from the roadway.  

The investigation is ongoing, with charges possible.  One semi was left behind at the scene, in the north side ditch.  Crews will work to remove it tomorrow.