2 killed in I-81 pileup during whiteout in W.Va.

FALLING WATERS, W.Va. (AP)- West Virginia State Police say whiteout conditions along Interstate 81 led to two pileups that killed two, injured at least seven and involved 44 cars.

First Sgt. C.K. Zerkle says the crashes, one northbound and one southbound, occurred around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday in heavy snow and winds.

The seven injured in the southbound wreck were flown by helicopters to area hospitals.

He didn’t know how many vehicles were involved in each crash.

The northbound lanes remain closed Wednesday, but the south lanes have reopened.

Backups initially extended in Maryland.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up