Butler County, Pennsylvania — A long winter morning turned tragic on Friday when an 18‑year‑old Pittsburgh man died and nine others were injured in a massive multi‑vehicle crash along Interstate 79 in Jackson Township. Evan Gingo, described by authorities as a bright young adult with his whole life ahead of him, was pronounced dead at the scene after icy road conditions led to a chain reaction on the highway.
Traffic crews and state police say the morning crash involved at least 25 vehicles directly, and another two dozen were stranded as snow and ice slicked the pavement between Exit 78 near Cranberry/Mars and Exit 88 near Zelienople. All northbound and southbound lanes were closed for hours as emergency workers cleared the scenes and investigated what officials called a devastating winter collision.
Motorists said conditions changed suddenly. One witness, Wendy Graff, told reporters that she and her husband were riding in a dump truck when cars began spinning out of control. “We slid for about 200 feet on ice that came out of nowhere,” she said, describing vehicles stopped sideways and trucks jack‑knifed across the highway.
State police confirmed the injured were transported to local hospitals, but they have not released details on the severity of their conditions. Four of those hurt were taken to Allegheny General Hospital while others went to different area medical centers, according to hospital spokespeople.
Traffic delays reached deep into the afternoon as detours funneling cars onto State Route 19 snarled roads in nearby Zelienople. Drivers reported long waits, frustration and concern for friends still stuck on the snowy interstate.
Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT warned drivers that snow, freezing drizzle and black ice made the corridor especially dangerous Friday morning, and they urged motorists to use caution in winter weather. The crash remains under investigation, with police focusing on how rapidly changing conditions contributed to the chaos.
For families and travelers alike, the crash has become a stark reminder of how quickly winter roads can shift from manageable to deadly. Emergency crews continue to sort through the wreckage, and community members are left grappling with the loss of a young life amid one of the largest pileups the region has seen in years.
