I-70 is shut down eastbound from the PA line to Hancock after a series of crashes including one confirmed fatality. According to the Maryland State Police the first accident happened at about 2:20 this morning along I-70 eastbound between mile marker 2 and 3. A tractor trailer was traveling East Bound on Interstate 70 near the 3 Mile Marker and for unknown reasons at this time, lost control and jack knifed across all lanes of Interstate 70. A passenger vehicle traveling East Bound on Interstate 70 then struck the jack knifed tractor trailer. Another tractor trailer was driving East Bound on Interstate 70 at this time and struck the passenger vehicle and the first tractor trailer. As a result, the driver of the passenger vehicle was killed. All lanes of Interstate 70 East Bound are closed at this time.
Due to the lanes being closed, traffic was backed up on East Bound Interstate 70. At approximately 0240 hours, a tractor trailer driving east bound on Interstate 70 at the 2 Mile Marker rear ended another tractor trailer. The driver of the second tractor trailer was entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated and taken to a hospital in Baltimore and is listed in serious condition.
State Highway Administration advised that East Bound Interstate 70 will be closed at the 2 Mile Marker until approximately 10am.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and State Highway Administration responded to the scene. Both accidents are still being investigated.