UPDATE: I-70 West reopens after vehicle crash, multiple fatalities

OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) – UPDATE (12:10am): I-70 West is now reopen, per Sheriff Tom Howard.

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UPDATE (11:30pm): Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard tells us that the accident involved 3 vehicles.

It began when a car traveling on I-70 East lost control and went off the road, across the median and into the westbound lane.

When that vehicle entered I-70 West, it hit an SUV, bounced off and then hit a tractor trailer.

The woman and young child in the SUV, and the driver of the tractor trailer were taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. 3 individuals in the car that crossed the median died.

Sheriff Howard says his officers are still on scene working on cleanup and crash reconstruction, and he expects the I-70 West will be closed for several more hours.

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Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard tells 7NEWS that I-70 is shut down in both lanes after a fatal accident going Westbound.

Ohio County EMA Director Lou Vargo confirms that this is a “mass casualty incident” with three fatalities, and five others injured. Those individuals were taken to Wheeling Hospital.

Sheriff Howard says a vehicle crossed the median and went head on into a tractor-trailer around 8:40pm Thursday. We’re told there are major injuries.

This is a developing story so stay with 7NEWS for updates.

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