Eastbound Lanes of I-70 Near Hancock Closed Following Two Early Morning Accidents

UPDATE: All lanes of I-70 near Hancock reopen following nearly seven hours of closure.

Eastbound lanes of I-70 from PA line to Hancock in western Washington Co. are being reopenend now, following two crashes early this morning.

— MD State Police (@MDSP) September 30, 2016

ORIGINAL: The eastbound lanes on I-70 in Washington County are closed to traffic Friday morning because of two serious accidents involving a pedestrian fatality and a truck fire according to Maryland State Police.

The first accident occurred about 2:30 a.m. when a driver was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer, according to a police news release. A second separate accident between two tractor-trailers resulted in a fire, police said, about one mile west of the first accident.

At this time, a detour has been set up. Police are advising travelers to take Md. Rt. 522 south toward Hancock to Rt. 144, and to follow Rt. 144 east through Hancock and back to eastbound I-70.

The interstate will remain closed for several hours as State Police investigate both accidents.

Suggested alt route around Wash Co crashes on I-70. Take MD Rt 522 south to Hancock. Take Rt 144 east thru town and back to EB I-70.

— MD State Police (@MDSP) September 30, 2016

 

Two crashes have closed EB I-70 from PA line to Hancock in Washington Co. Traffic backed up into PA. Delay travel or take alt route.

— MD State Police (@MDSP) September 30, 2016