1 Dead, Several Injured In I-70 Crash
SOUTH HUNTINGDON (KDKA) – Police are investigating after a crash on Interstate 70 in Westmoreland County left one person dead and several others injured Monday morning.
According to police, the accident happened near Exit 49 in South Huntingdon around 2:18 a.m.
A van and a Jeep were left mangled in the accident.
What's missing is the tractor-trailer that police believe led to the death of a young woman.
Police said the chain of events started when the driver of a Jeep got on the interstate heading the wrong way.
"The initial impact with that vehicle and another vehicle basically caused the vehicles to come to rest in the middle of I-70," Trooper Stephanie Plume said.
Siva Marie Stewart, 22, of Connellsville, was in the Jeep. She was apparently dazed from the accident, got out and was standing in the middle of the highway.
"Basically, had injuries from the initial crash with the other vehicle, then exited the vehicle for whatever reason," Trooper Plume said. "She was in the road, told to get out of the road by witnesses that had stopped to help."
It was then that a white tractor-trailer passed, partially hitting the vehicles and Stewart, which killed her.
"We do believe they definitely were aware something took place. There are basically indicators on the road that indicate they tried to slow down," Trooper Plume said.
There were five people in the van, traveling from Illinois to New York. They were all taken to Pittsburgh hospitals.
State police are continuing to look for the tractor-trailer as well as the driver for questioning.
The eastbound lanes were closed for a period of time, but the road has since reopened.
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