Three Killed in Tragic Crash on I-70 Near The Highlands
A devastating accident on Interstate 70 near The Highlands, West Virginia, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, claimed the lives of three people. The crash involved three vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, and resulted in significant traffic disruptions for several hours.
According to the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, the victims were identified as Bobby Tidrick (23), Earl Safreed Jr. (32), and Stella Safreed (27). The three were traveling eastbound on I-70 when their vehicle lost control, crossed the median, and collided with two other vehicles in the westbound lanes, including a tractor-trailer.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Tidrick, Safreed Jr., and Safreed were pronounced dead at the site of the accident. The drivers of the other two vehicles involved were taken to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital for evaluation, but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
The accident led to the closure of I-70 West for several hours as investigators and emergency personnel worked at the scene. Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard highlighted the need for additional safety measures on this stretch of the highway, such as a median barrier, which might have prevented the vehicle from crossing into oncoming traffic.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
