A burning vehicle on Interstate 79 causes major delays for morning commuters

Around 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a vehicle slid underneath a tractor-trailer on I-79 southbound around the I-279/79 split. The vehicle became jammed under the truck and then caught on fire. Police were forced to close down all the southbound lanes.

An Air Force Senior Master Sergeant was on his way to work when he saw the accident and ran to help. When he approached the wedged car he saw that the driver was still trapped inside. He was stuck underneath the steering wheel and dashboard the sergeant reported. He and the tractor-trailer driver were able to move some of the wreckage and free the man from the car. He said the man had some noticeable leg injuries. It has not been reported on how extensive those injuries are

Only a few minutes passed by before the man’s vehicle caught on fire. The sergeant said that the tractor-trailer dragged the vehicle for some time before it came to a stop. He said the truck’s wheel was actually in the man’s vehicle when he pulled him out.

The southbound lanes of I-79 were closed for two hours. Long delays were experienced throughout the city of Pittsburgh due to accidents and the snow. It is important to give yourself plenty of time when heading out in these conditions. In a previous winter driving, we spoke about how you can get your vehicle ready for these snowy conditions.

Weather makes traveling difficult and at times scary. It is crucial to slow down and take your time when traveling through this type of weather and if possible, avoid traveling until the roads are clear. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, contact the attorneys at Berger and Green.

Source:

KDKA, “Fiery Crash Shuts Down I-79 For Two Hours”