Interstate 81 reopens following “white out” wrecks

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Two people were killed and 14 others injured in a pair of multi-vehicle crashes on Interstate 81 in Berkeley County during morning rush hour Wednesday.

State Police First Sgt. C.K. Zerkle said a heavy snow squall created white out conditions at about 8:45 a.m.

“Heavy winds and heavy snow and it just occurred very quick and I guess people could not see and it began piling up,” the trooper said.

The entire interstate was closed from approximately 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. when the southbound lanes were reopened. One northbound lane reopened to traffic by 3:30 p.m.

Police said there were approximately 30 vehicles involved in the northbound crash near the 21 mile marker north of Martinsburg near Falling Waters. There was also a 10 vehicle pile-up in the southbound lanes nearby.

Zerkle said two people were killed in the northbound crash. Their names have not been released. Fourteen other motorists were injured. He said seven of the injured were taken to hospitals by emergency helicopters.

Fifteen to 20 vehicles sustained major damage including tractor trailers that had to be towed from the interstate.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the southbound wreck.

 





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