Three dead and two injured in chain reaction crashes on I-80 in Centre County

UPDATE |

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Three people are dead in two chain reaction crashes on Interstate 80.

That’s what state police say happened on I-80, early Tuesday morning in Centre County.

The deadly, chain reaction crashes occurred just after midnight about a mile past the I-80 Milesburg Exit in the westbound lane.

Police say a car was first disabled, on the roadway shoulder, after colliding with a tractor trailer.

the big rig driver had a minor injury, then police report another tractor trailer hit the disabled car with all three people in the car killed, including two of them who were thrown out of the vehicle.

Just prior to that, police say another person, who they describe as a good Samaritan, was seriously injured as they were walking towards the disabled car when the car was pushed into them after being hit by the truck.

I-80 westbound between Milesburg and Snow Shoe was closed down for most of the day Tuesday

ORIGINAL |

A portion of Interstate 80 westbound in Centre County, between Milesburg and Snow Shoe is closed, as Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate a deadly crash involving multiple tractor trailers and a vehicle early Tuesday morning.

According to the Citizens Hook & Ladder Co.1 of Milesburg Facebook page, first responders arrived on-scene at 12:04 a.m.. and found two tractor trailers over an embankment and a vehicle on its roof.

According to the fire company's Facebook page, three people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were flown to the hospital.

According to PennDOT, the interstate is still closed and officials say that section of highway will likely stay that way for most of the day.

Interstate 80 West closed at the Milesburg exit.

PennDOT says the detour put is place is Route 150 to Old Route 220 to Route 144 north, which will take drivers back to I-80 west in Snow Shoe.

Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area.

Stay with 6 News on-air and online for more on this developing story.

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