Three-vehicle crash at I-77 interchange causes major traffic disruption, hazmat response

WOOD COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – On September 3, 2024, at approximately 6:36 PM, a three-vehicle crash occurred at the interchange of I-77 and US-50 in Wood County, prompting a large emergency response.

The incident involved two passenger vehicles and a tractor-trailer carrying a tanker loaded with a fuel mixture.

Due to the severity of the crash, all lanes in both directions on US-50 were initially shut down, forcing traffic to be rerouted via I-77 north and south.

The response to the scene included units from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Waverly and Eastwood Volunteer Fire Departments, Camden Clark Ambulance Services, the Department of Highways, the Public Service Commission, Homeland Security, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

The investigation revealed that the tanker truck was in the left turn lane from US-50 eastbound to I-77 north when the crash occurred.

One of the passenger vehicles was traveling eastbound on US-50, while the other had just merged onto US-50 eastbound from I-77 north.

The two passenger vehicles collided, causing one of them to strike the tanker truck.

The impact caused the tanker truck to leak a significant amount of fuel onto the roadway, requiring a hazmat response.

Pifer’s Towing was called to handle the hazardous materials cleanup and the removal of the wrecked vehicles.

As of the latest update, all westbound lanes on US-50 have been reopened, with one eastbound lane also now open.