One dead in 50-vehicle crash near Erie

ERIE, Pa. - About 50 vehicles, including an ambulance, were involved in a massive chain-reaction crash on Interstate 90 under whiteout conditions yesterday, leaving one person dead, officials said.

Police closed I-90 in both directions over an approximately 10-mile section east of Erie to the New York border after the 12:45 p.m. accident.

Several tanker trucks were involved and a hazardous materials crew was dispatched to the scene, but the trucks were not damaged and remained upright, said Maria Finn, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

One person was killed, Finn said, citing information from Erie County authorities. A number of people sustained minor injuries, Finn said.

Police also closed southbound lanes of I-79 for several hours because of accidents south of Erie.

Snow was falling across Western Pennsylvania at the time. Erie was expected to get up to 6 inches by late evening and possibly more overnight, according to the National Weather Service. - AP