At least four people were killed during a massive crash involving about 50 vehicles piled up on the Ohio Turnpike on Friday during a snowstorm. Many others were injured.
A pregnant mother with two children and a Webberville teenager were among the four victims.
The massive Interstate 75 pile-up overwhelmed the town, emergency services, and law enforcement.
The teenage victim, 19-year-old Emma Smith, lost her life in the accident at around 12:30 pm on Friday during a devastating snowstorm that swept through the country with freezing arctic temperatures and heavy snow.
On Sunday, authorities identified the other victims as Bernard M. Bloniarz, 59, of Ohio, and Julie E. Roth, 37, of Toledo. Police said there was a fourth unnamed victim.
The Groton Township, December 23 crash occurred on the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike and stretched for miles.
One driver involved in the pile-up, who managed to escape unharmed and helped rescue other people at the scene, Tom Hanus, 40, spoke days after the accident. He said he was on the road going to visit his granddaughter, when he had to slam on the brakes to avoid the biggest pile-up of cars he’d ever seen.
He said the wind made it feel like minus 30 degrees, and the snow was blowing and accumulating across the highway.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Ryan Purpura said that local law enforcement agencies spent many hours investigating the crash.
The storms that hit the entire country claimed 57 lives, including at least 28 in the Buffalo, New York area.
On a GoFundMe page, victim Julie Roth’s sister-in-law wrote, “I’m seeking support for our family after the devastating loss. Sadly, Julie and her unborn child didn’t survive. Thankfully, her two children did, but they are suffering from multiple injuries they sustained from the accident.”
Numerous people were injured during the crash, but authorities have not confirmed the numbers.