Arrest made after deadly 2023 ‘chain reaction’ crash on I-79 in Washington County

Police have arrested a driver involved in a deadly “chain reaction” crash on Interstate 79 in Washington County last August.

The crash shut down the interstate at 10 a.m., sent multiple victims to the hospital and left a man dead.

PHOTOS: Crash on I-79 in Washington County shuts down interstate

Rachel Phillips, 35, of Houston, Washington County, is charged in the crash.

Police found Twisted Tea alcohol bottles in the Phillips’ mangled car. They also allege that she had marijuana and cocaine in her system at the time of the crash.

Phillips’ car swerved through two lanes of traffic, through the center grass median and into oncoming traffic, police say.

Gary Reinhardt of New York was passing through Pennsylvania that morning when Phillips hit him. He died at the scene.

The impact continued, with other cars crashing behind them. Other victims were trapped and had to be pulled from their cars and taken to the hospital or treated at the scene.

Phillips was also trapped and had to be extricated from her car. First responders said they could smell alcohol on her breath.

She was taken to the Washington County Jail and is now out on bond.

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