Traffic is moving again on Interstate 80 after a chain reaction accident in snowy weather killed three people Saturday. Interstate 80 west bound in Venango County was closed to traffic from 2:00 Saturday afternoon until 10:30 Sunday morning. Tom Sherman, Venango County Emergency Management told WICU/WSEE that as many as 30 vehicles may have been involved in separate accidents, many of them big tractor trailer rigs. Some of the trucks were hauling hazardous materials, but Sherman told us there were no leaks.
The wreckage left one big rig on top of a car. The couple in that car was killed. The Venango Coroner's office identifies the victims as Robert Duffy, and his wife, Rita. Sources say Duffy was an assistant school principal in the Pittsburgh area. A third person was killed when his car was hit by a tractor trailer as well. The victim is identified as 69 year old Michael Maluk, of Greenville.
State Police at the Franklin barracks are investigating the multi-vehicle accident. Reconstruction experts spent time at the scene Sunday morning, before reopening the interstate. State police investigators have not released their report, or said if any charges are pending. Penn dot spokesman, Jim Carroll says visibility was a factor in both interstate pileups. Heavy snow bands dropped two or three inches of snow on the highways in 45 minutes.
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