Allegheny County, PA — January 16, 2026, three people were injured following a multi-truck accident at around 10:29 a.m. along northbound I-79.

Investigators said that the crash took place in the area of Warrendale near the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

According to officials, an initial crash occurred on southbound lanes between an 18-wheeler and a tanker truck. This reportedly led to the 18-wheeler careening into northbound lanes where it crashed with a van.

Due to the accident, three people involved in the crash had unspecified injuries. Additional details surrounding the accident are unavailable.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

It's not going to surprise anyone to hear that a multi-vehicle truck accident spanning both directions of an interstate is going to be challenging for investigators. However, I want to highlight just one complex aspect of crashes like this people don't always consider—something I even see authorities too often overlook. That factor is securing the vehicles for inspection. Let me explain.

Some factors that are important for accident reconstructionists to look into require a close inspection of the vehicles involved in the accident. Vehicles have Engine Control Modules, which can record things like speed, steering, and braking leading up to a crash. Tires may show wear or have signs of manufacturing flaws. With commercial vehicles specifically, maintenance and cargo can contribute to serious accidents. This often requires both a close look into company records as well as a detailed inspection of the vehicles.

In many crashes I've handled, though, this all slips through the cracks. Authorities tend to prioritize looking for reasons to file charges and clearing the scene to get traffic moving. Short of that, they will sometimes just let people drive vehicles away from the scene or let the owners tow them to their own yards or repair shops before the vehicles have been inspected and evidence recorded. I've had cases where our independent investigators actually caught trucking companies trying to erase important evidence under the guise of "routine repairs." This happens because authorities don't always consider the needs of victims and families after a serious wreck, or they just don't have experience with commercial truck wrecks, leading to mistakes.

So here, it's still early after the crash. While the evidence is fresh, it's important to know if accident reconstructionists are examining the vehicles, securing electronic data, and otherwise working to preserve evidence for the victims and families affected by the crash. The sooner that happens, the more evidence will be available. Then, that evidence can ultimately say what led to this crash and whether or not anyone needs to be held responsible.