A New Stanton man was killed following a multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 70 that sent multiple people to area hospitals Wednesday evening, officials said.
Deputy Coroner Joshua Zappone Thursday morning identified Dillon Walton, 27, as the person killed in the crash that occurred near Smithton. The crash, which was reported shortly before 5:30 p.m., occurred on the bridge carrying I-70 over the Youghiogheny River and involved two tractor trailers and multiple passenger vehicles, emergency officials said.
The road was closed between Route 51 and New Stanton for several hours.
According to Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth Bacha, Walton was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier that he brought to a stop with multiple other vehicles in the left lane of I-70 east. A tractor trailer, which did not slow down for the stopped vehicles, hit the car from behind, Bacha said.
Walton, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from his vehicle, sustaining multiple blunt force injuries, officials said. Walton was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause and manner of death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed. An update on the conditions of those taken to area hospitals was not available.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident.
