Last week's fatal crash on Interstate 70 near The Highlands, where three people were killed, was a tragedy that is all too common along that stretch of the interstate. That part of I-70, known as Two-Mile Hill, has been the scene of too many crashes.
Last week, a vehicle driving up Two-Mile Hill lost control, crossed the median, hit another car and collided with a tractor-trailer. Just weeks before, a tractor-trailer heading down the hill lost control and wrecked in the median.
Emergency responders were amazed the driver was able to crawl out of the mangled cab relatively unharmed.
While the cause of last week's crash has yet to be announced, authorities say there is a pattern as to why previous crashes have occurred. There are two main factors that lead to the danger on that section of I-70 -- speed and gravity. Drivers often go much too fast in that area and, when headed down a hill with a 5% grade, even those who had been trying to drive safely can pick up too much speed.
Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard said his deputies record speed as much as possible in that area -- and they often pull over motorists going as fast as 90 mph -- but when those deputies can't be there, it's up to drivers to be hyper-vigilant while traveling along that stretch.
Drive the speed limit. Don't weave through traffic. Be cognizant of tractor-trailers and the fact that they can't stop quickly, especially going down the hill. Move over to the left lane when driving down past The Highlands to give those on the on-ramp plenty of room to merge.
It is everyone's responsibility to make sure that I-70 near The Highlands remains a safe area to travel. Your actions and care affect the well-being of everyone around you, and everyone deserves to make it to their final destination safely.