The Blade reports, “At least four people were killed in a 46-vehicle pileup, including numerous tractor-trailers, Friday afternoon [December 23] on the Ohio Turnpike in western Erie County as a massive winter storm brought white-out conditions, frigid temperatures, and dangerous wind chills to northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.” The incident, centered in the eastbound lanes near Milepost 106.4, was first reported about 12:34 PM. In a follow-up report published by the newspaper yesterday, police said the crash remains under investigation.
Sandusky Register published photos of the crash site and rescue efforts. On Saturday evening, Christmas Eve, the newspaper reported that the affected segment of the turnpike had reopened to traffic, although cleanup efforts were continuing. The article also noted that Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission chair Jerry Hruby issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and praise for the “hundreds of unnamed individuals — staff from the Ohio Turnpike, Ohio State Highway Patrol, all local safety agencies, and emergency/medical staff as well as civilian support” — who responded to the crash.
WTVG provided video coverage of the incident.