News
Eight People Injured In Route 33 Crash
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
Posted on:
Eight people were injured Tuesday morning in a one-vehicle accident on Route 33, including three children.
Four people, including the three children, were ejected from a van that was traveling in the eastbound lane of Route 33 between Johnson Road and Columbus Road.
No names have been released, but troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol that were on the scene said the occupants of the 1990 Econoline van were a family traveling back to their home in Georgia.
According to Lt. George Harlow, commander of the Athens Post of the Highway Patrol, the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Route 33 when one of the tires blew, causing the vehicle to collide with a guardrail. The van then spun around in the road before stopping in the median of 33.
One child was flown by MedFlight from the scene, and the other seven passengers were transported to OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital.
The crash is still under investigation and seat belt usage in the van is being investigated. Troopers have not said who in the van was wearing seat belts and who may not have been restrained at the time of the crash.
The eastbound lanes are still closed while aerial pictures are taken of the scene. Debris from the crash extends the length of the bridge near Johnson Road.
Once pictures are taken, Harlow said one lane of the road will be opened. It is unclear when the road will be completely opened.