3 dead in multiple-vehicle crash on Ohio Turnpike

Lucas, Wood counties move to Level 2 snow emergency

Rita Wheeler battles the snow and wind to make here way to work in downtown Toledo.

The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
Buy This Image

Multi vehicle accident in the eastbound lane of the Ohio Turnpike near the County Road 268 overpass near Clyde. Two fatalities are being reported.

UPDATE: Highway patrol identifies victims of turnpike crashes

A bundled up Wendy Hayes battles the falling snow at her home on the corner of Christie and Densmore in Old Orchard.

VICKERY, Ohio -- Ohio Highway Patrol officials have confirmed that a third person has died as a result of a multiple-vehicle pileup on the Ohio Turnpike's eastbound lanes earlier today in Sandusky County. No other information is being released about the victims at this time.

The crash was reported at 1:25 p.m. on the Turnpike between mileposts 102 and 103. At 2:05 p.m., other responding emergency personnel learned that an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper was seriously injured after being pinned between two vehicles.

The highway patrol identified the injured trooper as Andrew B. Clouser, 29, who is assigned to the Milan post and has been with the patrol for 18 months. The patrol said he was in “stable, but serious condition” after being transferred to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Mr. Clouser reportedly was pinned between two vehicles involved in the pileup, in which troopers estimated there were between 40 and 50 vehicles.

Both westbound and eastbound sides of the Ohio Turnpike remain shutdown after multiple tractor-trailer rigs collided, some overturning, in multiple areas stretching from Ottawa County into Erie County. Dozens of vehicles were involved.

The trooper was taken to Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky with "severe injures," the Highway Patrol stated in a news release.

The dozens of involved vehicles all crashed within a 1-mile stretch of the Turnpike. No additional information was available.

Ohio Turnpike officials are reporting that a shoulder of the eastbound highway has been opened at milemarker 102 to allow traffic to begin moving in the area of the major accident. Authorities said traffic is still backed up about 7.4 miles in the eastbound lanes on the turnpike

State Rt. 2 east of Port Clinton was closed earlier today because of multiple accidents, but has been reopened.

There were multiple accidents in a construction zone, a sheriff's office dispatcher said. The stretch of highway was closed after 3:40 p.m. between State Rt 163 and to State Rt. 53 because of the wrecks.

Snowfall that pummeled northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has moved out of Lucas County.

Both Lucas and Wood counties downgraded to a Level 2 snow emergency at 5 p.m. today.

Sheriff John Tharp, who declared a Level 3 emergency at 7 a.m. today, monitored the issue of high winds before making the decision on downgrading to Level 2.

Under a Level 2, roadways are considered hazardous and only those who need to be out should do so.

Throughout the afternoon, serious traffic issues - including a fatality on the Ohio Turnpike - were being reported across the area.

A tow truck prepares to right a jackknifed tuck on southbound I-75 near the I-280 split.

RELATED ARTICLE: Division I boys basketball regional semifinal postponed

CLOSINGS AND DELAYS: Schools and businesses and snow levels

PHOTO GALLERY: Another snowstorm socks region

VIDEO: Sandusky Register footage by Shawn Foucher

Both westbound and eastbound portions of the turnpike were shut down after multiple tractor-trailer rigs overturned in multiple areas stretching from Ottawa County into Erie County.

In Sandusky County, a fatal accident was reported. No further information was released about it.

Traffic is being diverted at the U.S. 250 exit in Erie County.

U.S. 24 near the Lucas/Henry County line is closed due to the weather. Officials said it is impassable because of the wind and snow.

All Lucas County government offices, area schools, and many businesses were forced to close today because of the snowstorm that began early today. Forecasters are predicting high winds and rapid snowfall — up to 8 inches — throughout the day.

Sheriff Tharp said State Rt. 2 in eastern Lucas County and into Ottawa County is treacherous. He said many accidents and vehicles going off the roadway into ditches have been reported.

As of 2 p.m. today, the total of new snow accumulation at Toledo Express Airport was 6.5 inches, bringing the season record-breaking amount to 84.3 inches, said Kristen Schepel, of the National Weather Service.

Dave Welch, Toledo’s streets, bridges, and harbor commissioner, said city plows would be on the roads in 12-hour shifts through Thursday.

Rita Wheeler battles the snow and wind to make here way to work in downtown Toledo.

Late this afternoon, plows were still clearing “phase one” roads, which are the city's main thoroughfares, but would move onto residential streets by evening.

He acknowledged it was difficult to keep streets clear during the day because of the heavy snowfall.

“The snow is coming down an inch or more, plus it was blowing back onto the roads,” he said.

There were 120 plows on Toledo's streets today, includng 35 private operators hired by the city.

Private plow operators, who are contracted by the city to help clear roads when a major snow storm hits, are expected to start working at 4 p.m.

The winter storm warning is scheduled to expire at 8 p.m. today.