Funviralpark Sgt. Ohio Highway Patrol Ryan Parpra said: video Posted on Twitter late Friday, four people were killed and many injured in a pile. The names of the victims have not been released and authorities have not determined the number of injured.
“This is a stark reminder of what happens when you try to get behind the wheel and drive in bad weather,” Parpra said in the video. If you must move, take precautions, go slow, be patient, wear safety belts and increase following distance.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) has called on officials to keep people at home.
“My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones in this harsh weather situation in Ohio,” he said in a statement. statement“Stay home as much as possible and be aware of these extremely dangerous road conditions.”
The deadly pile up in Ohio is the result of what the National Weather Service describes as a “once in a generation” winter storm that will clear 2,000 miles of road across much of the country by Christmas weekend. is expected. Even though more than 200 million Americans have been warned of potentially dangerous weather in their region, many travelers who ignored suggestions to stay home have seen flight cancellations, road closures, etc. Faced with closures, suspension of train and bus systems.
About 6,000 US flights were canceled on Friday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. About 1,800 US flights scheduled for Saturday were canceled as of 10 a.m. ET, according to FlightAware.
At least 13 people were killed in clashes on Friday, officials in Ohio, Kansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky said as people took to the roads for vacation trips.
Ohio officials said the first crash began around 11:45 a.m. Friday and another vehicle struck about 45 minutes later. According to the Ohio Highway Patrol, a bus was brought in to transport people from the crash site to the facility so they could stay warm.
High-speed winds and whiteout conditions are expected in Ohio over the weekend, and eastbound lanes on the Ohio Turnpike near Sandusky were closed Saturday morning, officials said.Westbound lanes on the turnpike reopened late Friday, about 12 hours after the first incident. crash.
In Sandusky on the shores of Lake Erie, community members told how they rushed to deliver hot food, drink and shelter to those caught in the pile.
“This is kind of what we do,” Lucas Messer, superintendent of Clyde Green Springs School, told Cleveland’s ABC affiliate WEWS. Proud of the town, and of what we can do to step up and help.Everyone around us is like the way we do business here.”
Robert Clarke, who was traveling from Detroit when winter weather changed his plans, told the station that he and his partner “only had seconds to get out of the car.”
“Honestly, we are lucky to be here,” Clark said.
