WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio (WCMH) – Multiple overnight crashes, including one involving two semitrailers in a construction zone, caused the closure of Interstate 71 North and over eight hours of gridlock traffic in Ohio.
Due to several crashes, people were stuck on Interstate 71 North beginning at State Route 38, and extending through U.S. Route 62 for about eight hours, from 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, according to drivers at the scene.
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Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (NBC4/Ronald Clark) -
Multiple crashes on I-71 North near the Pickaway and Madison County border have caused hours of delays. (Courtesy/Ohio Department of Transportation)
Two semi-trucks crashed in a construction zone in a tight corridor at the Madison and Pickaway county lines on I-71 North. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said a second crash involving a box truck and a car took place on the highway nearby.
Crews were reportedly having a difficult time clearing a path from the crashes due to the narrow lanes and no shoulder, resulting in a lack of space to operate. The OSHP said two people were hospitalized from each crash, but there were no reported fatalities.
One woman returning from Kings Island amusement park with her three children was stuck in traffic from the time the crash occurred.
“Cars are kind of turning off and on to cool down the car, get some air, but everyone seems to be kind of conserving their gas. A lot of cars have been turned off,” said Taylor Dempsey, who added that her family had water, but no food, and everyone needed a restroom.
Those who were able to maneuver on the highway were detoured southeast, through Mount Sterling towards Grove City in Franklin County. Kristine Varkony, the traffic correspondent for Nexstar’s WCMH, said the detour could take up to an hour to get drivers back on track.
The interstate reopened at 6:50 a.m., ending the closure after eight hours and 20 minutes.
