The freezing winter weather conditions hitting the Eastern seaboard had real consequences for dozens of vehicles involved in a massive pile-up that occurred on a highway near Buffalo, NY on Tuesday afternoon, January 2.
A confirmed 22 cars collided while skidding on I-90, but more than 50 others wound up being involved in the horrific accident, with some reports placing the total number of vehicles at somewhere upwards of 75. Prior to crash taking place, forecasters had been predicting winds of 45 miles per hour in Erie County and the National Weather Service was projecting that visibility would be zero or below. Thus, drivers had been warned to heed advisories about blizzard-like conditions with precaution.
Various roads had already been closed down due to the whiteout conditions. But despite the steps taken to prevent as much danger as possible, the county was forced to dispense personnel from seven volunteer fire departments, the Erie County Department of Health, as well as the Erie County Dept. of Homeland Security, to the scene near exits 49 and 50 on the Thruway in Lancaster.
A number of people suffered injuries but only two were taken to the hospital in serious condition and one victim of the crash's condition is said to be critical.
