25-Car Pileup on Interstate 79 Kills 1, Injures 9

Massive crash in Butler County, Pennsylvania leaves trail of destruction

Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A devastating 25-car pileup on Interstate 79 in Butler County, Pennsylvania on Friday morning resulted in the death of an 18-year-old Pittsburgh man and injuries to 9 others. The crash, which occurred on an icy stretch of the highway, involved a jackknifed tractor-trailer and left a mile-long trail of wrecked vehicles.

Why it matters

The deadly crash on Interstate 79 highlights the dangers of driving in inclement winter weather conditions and the importance of exercising extreme caution on highways, especially when visibility and road conditions are poor. It also raises questions about infrastructure maintenance and safety protocols for managing traffic during severe weather events.

The details

According to eyewitness accounts, the pileup began when Cassandra Summerill's car lost control on the icy road, leading to a chain reaction of crashes involving around 25 vehicles. A tractor-trailer jackknifed across the entire highway, narrowly missing Summerill's car. In the chaos, Evan Gingo, an 18-year-old from Pittsburgh, was killed, and 9 others were injured, some requiring extrication by first responders using the jaws of life.

  • The crash occurred on Friday morning, February 7, 2026.
  • Interstate 79 was closed in both directions for several hours following the incident.

The players

Cassandra Summerill

A resident of Harmony, Pennsylvania who narrowly escaped the pileup on Interstate 79.

Evan Gingo

An 18-year-old from Pittsburgh who was killed in the 25-car crash on Interstate 79.

Wendy Graff

A resident of the Wexford area who was stuck on Interstate 79 near the back of the crash site for around 3 hours.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was just dominoes. It's one after another.”

— Cassandra Summerill (CBS News Pittsburgh)

“At the very last second before he hit us, he was able to veer off into the middle grassy median.”

— Cassandra Summerill (CBS News Pittsburgh)

“It was definitely the scariest I've ever been. I just kept telling my husband thank you for being such a wonderful driver.”

— Wendy Graff (CBS News Pittsburgh)

What’s next

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash and whether any charges will be filed. The section of Interstate 79 where the incident occurred will likely undergo safety reviews to determine if any infrastructure improvements are needed to prevent similar pileups in the future.

The takeaway

This tragic crash on Interstate 79 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of exercising extreme caution when driving in hazardous winter weather conditions. It also highlights the need for continued investment in highway infrastructure and safety protocols to protect motorists from the devastating consequences of multi-vehicle collisions.