Chaos unfolded last night as a five-car accident on I-71 South at I-90 sent six individuals to the hospital, according to reports from multiple sources. The Cleveland Division of Fire and Cleveland EMS have confirmed that a 26-year-old man is in critical condition, and a 40-year-old man is reportedly in serious condition, with both being treated at MetroHealth Medical Center. This severe collision triggered a complete shutdown of the affected lanes, creating a standstill of traffic that rippled through the area's commute.
A combined response by emergency crews worked to manage the scene and transport the injured quickly. Additional victims included a 25-year-old man, a 24-year-old woman, and two young boys, ages four and two, all of whom were reported to WKYC to have sustained minor injuries. The Ohio Department of Transportation noted that while all lanes were initially closed, they have now been reopened, as the roadway has been cleared of the significant wreckage and debris left behind by the collision.
The circumstances leading up to the crash remain under investigation, with few details yet surfacing regarding the conditions that may have contributed to the incident. Nevertheless, ODOT cameras captured the urgent flurry of activity as fire crews responded to the emergency, underscoring the gravity of the situation as it unfolded in real-time.
News 5, stationed at the site of the chaos, witnessed two unconscious individuals in one of the vehicles, signaling the immediate and visceral impact of the series of collisions. "Lots of debris were scattered across the roadway as cars tried to make their way through the accident's aftermath," reported News 5 Cleveland.
