(File Photo of the Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bulter County, PA) At least one person is dead after a multi-vehicle pile-up in Butler County. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, several crashes occurred on I-79 yesterday morning, causing the highway to shut down in both directions, and “at least 18 vehicles” were involved. PennDOT also expressed that due to this multi-vehicle crash, both the northbound and southbound lanes have been closed between Exit 78 (Cranberry/Mars) and Exit 88 (Zelienople) The closures will stay in place until the crash is cleared. PennDOT has also reminded drivers that a speed limit restriction is in place due to winter weather on I-79. Speed has been reduced to 45 miles per hour in both the north and southbound directions between PA 5 in Erie as well as all the way to Butler.