Adult, toddler killed in I-70 crash near Claysville
An adult and young child were killed Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near the Claysville exit.
State police said a passenger sedan was traveling west on the interstate when the driver lost control and went across the grassy hillside and struck an eastbound tractor-trailer shortly after 1 p.m.
The adult passenger in the car died at the scene while the toddler was flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Washington Hospital and pronounced dead an hour later, Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco said. The coroner said the two adults in the vehicle were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, and the child was not in a car seat. Their identities were not immediately released while investigators worked to notify the family.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured, while the driver of the car was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment.
The collision tore open the passenger side of the car and also launched the big rig into the back of a home located along the side of the highway in Donegal Township. The home at 61 Donegal Ave. appeared to have minimal damage, and the owner, who asked not to be identified, said no one inside was hurt.
The eastbound lanes of I-70 near the Claysville exit were closed for hours Sunday while state police and the coroner investigated. Claysville, West Alexander, Taylorstown and North Franklin fire departments assisted at the scene.