Two incidents tangle traffic near New Philadelphia Wednesday
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 26, 2024) – Two incidents on the highways tangled traffic in the area Wednesday.
First on U.S. 250 near Midvale, an oversized load snagged an overhead wire. U.S. 250 was closed in both directions for about two hours from 11:45 to 1:45 as crews repaired and rehung the wire.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Brian Hawkins says it was a Spectrum wire that was hanging too low. Nobody will be cited.
Just as 250 was reopening, a sudden rain shower likely contributed to a two-vehicle crash on I-77 between Dover and New Philadelphia around 2 p.m. Hawkins says they briefly closed a southbound lane, but the crash actually started on the northbound side.
He says a woman was merging onto 77 North from West High Avenue and hydroplaned all the way across the median, striking a southbound vehicle.
Hawkins says the woman had minor injuries and was taken to Union Hospital. She was cited for failure to maintain control of her vehicle.
A passenger in the other vehicle had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital. Both vehicles were significantly damaged and towed from the scene.