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Freezing rain, snow causes multiple accidents during morning commute

PITTSBURGH — Freezing rain and wind chills that prompted school delays in the Channel 11 viewing area, were also being blamed for scattered vehicle accidents, including one that killed a West Virginia man whose tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 79 north of the city.

A winter weather advisory exptired at 9 a.m. for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Mercer, Lawrence, Venango, Forest, Clarion and Jefferson counties. But the remnants of the early-morning precipitation continues to make streets and sidewalks slick. 

As of 6 a.m., several accidents were already reported. Traffic reporter Trisha Pittman said icy conditions played a role in crashes on I-79 northbound at the Wexford exit, on McCully Road at Middle Road in Hampton Township and in the 5000 block of Babcock Boulevard in Ross Township. 

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The accident in Wexford involved an overturned mail truck, Pittman reported.

Channel 11’s Brandon Hudson went to the scene and said police reported icy roads throughout the area.
Traffic was slow-moving on Interstate 79 while crews worked to clear the scene. The left northbound lane was blocked near mile-marker 73.
The driver was not hurt and no other vehicles were involved. 
Troopers from Butler say 51-year-old Robert Chafin, of Weirton, West Virginia, was killed died when his rig rolled over about 11 p.m. Thursday in Worth Township. That's about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh.   
The crash had northbound traffic down to one lane during Friday's morning rush hour, while crews dealt with the wreckage.
Most of the wintry weather will move out by Friday afternoon. Clouds will stick around throughout the day and into the weekend.

“A few peaks of sun this afternoon is not out of the question. Saturday and Sunday remain dry and quiet. Temperatures are still cold Friday with wind chills in the 20s. Temps improve over the weekend and especially early next week,” Smock said.

Friday’s high will reach 34 degrees.

WPXI

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