50-vehicle crash on I-75 in Ohio: Traffic after pile-up between Middletown, Monroe in southwest Ohio

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Officials have shut down southbound I-75 between Middletown and Monroe after about 50 vehicles were involved in a major crash on the roadway Monday.

Authorities say about 50 vehicles were involved in a pile-up on southbound I-75 between Middletown and Monroe at about noon. Officials shut down southbound traffic at about 12:30 p.m. Northbound traffic remained open.

" We've been stopped on I-75S since noon," Keith Clasgens reported on Facebook. "We are about 150 yards behind the accident. For those criticizing people driving in the snow, this was a freak situation. Conditions went from dry and light flurries, to blizzard-like conditions (very low visibility, slick, etc.) in seconds. I had seconds to adjust and slide. We missed the pile up by 10 seconds."

Eighteen people were transported to area hospitals from the scene, with only minor injuries and no fatalities reported by officials.

Authorities have not released any additional details about the crashes at this time or what caused them.

To avoid congestion while heading southbound on I-75 toward Cincinnati, take exit 36 on southbound State Route 123  to southbound State Route 741.

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