UNION COUNTY – Parts of I-80 in the Valley are now open after up to 20 vehicles were involved in a crash from snow squalls, sending over 40 people to the hospital PennDOT tells us I-80 east is now open at the crash site at mile marker 202. Westbound traffic is still being detoured using I-180 and Route 220.
In a tweet, Evangelical Community Hospital says it received 37 patients, and it also housed 21 non-patients and three dogs related to the incident until they were picked up by loved ones or housed at local hotels overnight.
Evangelical also says a family center has been established for family members of those involved in the accident at the Best Western next to Country Cupboard. Evangelical says those family members are asked to report there and a staff member is there to keep families informed. Family members are asked not to go to the hospital so it can focus on the injured.
A Geisinger spokesman tells us as of 7 p.m. nine patients were received and their conditions are currently being evaluated. Six patients were taken from the scene to the hospital, with an additional three transferred to Geisinger from other facilities.
Union County Coroner Dominik Adamo was also called to the scene, there is no update yet.
The crash resulted from snow squalls moving through the area. According to the Union County Fire Wire, the crash was first reported at 1:10 p.m.
