Interstate 68 westbound lanes backed up briefly on Monday morning following three vehicle accidents that occurred in a short time period near the I-68 and I-79 interchange.
A press release from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department said deputies first responded to a single-vehicle accident on I-68 westbound, near the 68/79 split at approximately 6:33 a.m.
According to the release, a white Honda Pilot struck one of the protective traffic barriers in the area where the overpass is under construction. That area is currently down to one lane. The vehicle ended up blocking the roadway. No injuries were reported from this accident.
While on the scene of the first accident, a second accident occurred between Exit 1 and the 68/79 split, the release said.
A black Toyota Tacoma pickup collided into the back of a black Toyota Rav-4 SUV. This accident then contributed to a chain-reaction of rear-end collisions involving a red Toyota Camry and a blue Nissan Rogue. In total, five occupants were involved in this crash, including a child, the press release said. All five refused medical transport.
Approximately 300 yards east of the first accident, on I-68 westbound, a third vehicle crash had occurred, the release said.
A white Ford F-150 ran into the back of a blue Ford Escape. According to the release, both vehicles came to rest in the median. This third accident involved one occupant in each vehicle. One person was transported by Mon EMS to the hospital for treatment. The severity of their injuries has not been released.
Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by West Virginia State Police, Star City Police Department, Mon EMS, and Brookhaven, Clinton and Triune-Halleck volunteer fire departments.
