Trucker at Fault for Pile-Up
Erie – After an investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police based in Erie determined that a trucker from Ohio was responsible for a five-vehicle crash that injured three people on Interstate 90 last Thursday. In a press release issued this week, PSP says that James Cunningham of Perrysburg, Ohio, was ignoring weather-based speed and lane restrictions when he collided with traffic that was waiting for another accident to be cleared. He was charged with speeding and violating lane restrictions and may face more charges. At least one person, Jennifer Needham of North East, suffered significant and life-threatening injuries when his loaded semi crashed into the rear of her Kia Forte. A GoFundMe has been started for her recovery.

Dangerous Cold Closes Schools
NWPA – A number of schools have decided to close their doors or dismiss students early today ahead of sub-zero temperatures that are anticipated this afternoon.  Temperatures will steadily drop across Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania throughout the day until they are below zero degrees tonight; dangerously cold windchills may also drop the outside temperature as low as 15 degrees below zero.  Check this station’s website for a list of closings and early dismissals, and visit Operation Weather Alert on Facebook for details on the Cold Advisory and the anticipated weekend storm that could leave us with a foot of snow on Sunday.