Fatal 13-Vehicle Crash Occurs On Pittsburgh-Area Highway

PITTSBURGH, PA — A 13-vehicle crash in Washington County on the flyover connecting Interstate 79 northbound to Interstate 70 westbound left a person dead on Thanksgiving.

According to the South Strabane Fire Department, authorities were alerted to the accident shortly after 5:30 p.m.

Several minutes after dispatch, WCDPS - Washington County Department of Public Safety

911 advised responding units that multiple vehicles were involved and that victims may be trapped. The prompted the South Strabane Fire Department to request assistance from the North Strabane Fire Department and later Bentleyville Fire-Rescue.

Arriving first responders confirmed a complex crash involving multiple vehicles including a tractor-trailer had occurred. Three people were found trapped inside a passenger vehicle and had to be extricated.

The Washington County Coroner pronounced one person dead at the scene. She later was identified as Jamie Doreen Wiles, 64, of Wheeling, West Virginia.

A dog also was killed in the crash.

Two others were hospitalized and are reported in critical condition.

Due to the number of possible injuries, a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was declared, bringing ambulances from two neighboring counties.

The name of the person killed in the crash has not yet been released.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased and with all those affected, especially on this holiday,” the South Strabane Fire Department said in a statement.