Dozens of people were injured and one person was killed in a 25-car pileup that was reported on I-70 following the snowstorm on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Armando Real, of Linden, Ind., was the only known fatality of the multi-vehicle accident. Real was riding in a 15-passenger van with other passengers while traveling east on I-70 near Route 142. Whiteout conditions and icy roads led to the chain-reaction of accidents that involved approximately six semi-trucks.
Many more accidents were reported following the Saturday snowstorm. Around 6 a.m. on I-270 near Roberts Road, Augustina L. Martinez was killed when her SUV ran off the highway and struck a guardrail. She was ejected from her vehicle and died at the scene.
Another multi-vehicle accident on I-71 in Morrow County led to the death of Amir H. Billups. Karissa L. Wright was driving the vehicle Billups was in when it struck a tractor-trailer from behind. The truck had been slowed by traffic and ice on the road.
In Eerie County, Beverly Smith was killed on the Ohio turnpike after the vehicle she was in crashed into a tractor-trailer that had jackknifed on the turnpike near Sandusky.
Although the storm passed through over the weekend, a winter weather advisory is still in effect and Franklin County can expect another 1 to 3 inches of snow. On Sunday, Feb. 15, a new record low of 8 degrees was set at Port Columbus airport. The previous record was set in 1920 when the record low was 12 degrees.
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our Ohio personal injury lawyers advise residents to stay safe and avoid driving in bad weather conditions when possible.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by a careless driver during wintry conditions, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. Our car accident attorneys can help you fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.