Three killed in highway crashes identified

Three people were killed early Sunday morning after icy conditions caused multiple accidents on both the Schuylkill Expressway and at the Blue Route at West Chester Pike, in Broomall, Delaware County.

According to ABC 6, authorities said 31-year-old Eric Alan Blau of Philadelphia was killed during a chain reaction pileup involving 60 vehicles on the Schuylkill Expressway just before 7:00 a.m. Sunday.

Police say Blau was fatally struck by a car when he got out of his disabled vehicle.

The Associated Press said the crash was a result of “flash-freezing” which consumed the Northeast overnight Saturday.

Around the same time, another multi-vehicle chain reaction crash involving a tractor trailer occurred on the Blue Route at West Chester Pike in Broomall, Delaware County. Two perople died in that crash. According to ABC 6, authorities identified the deceased as Thomas Michael Brennan of Lansdale and Jason Edward Anderson of Dover, Delaware.

A total of 56 cars were involved, according to 6ABC. Traffic was blocked for almost five hours in both directions.

SEPTA buses reportedly were called to help transport victims to area hospitals.

State police reported several more accidents across the area that resulted in two other fatalities and numerous injuries.