Victim of I-79 crash identified
A driver seriously injured in a Thursday morning crash on Interstate 79 near the Waynesburg exit was identified as Joshua I. Bischof, 19, of Wheeling, W.Va.
According to Waynesburg state police, Bischof was traveling northbound at a high speed when he crossed into the center median and traveled for about 300 feet before entering the left southbound lane, traveling about 75 feet the wrong way.
Anthony I. Elswich, 32, of Raven, Va., steered to the right to avoid the crash and Bischof’s vehicle hit the box trailer Elswich was hauling. The impact separated Bischof’s vehicle into two pieces.
Several people stopped to render first aid to Bischof until emergency personnel arrived. He was extricated from his vehicle by Waynesburg/Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department and flown by medical helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown. A hospital representative said Saturday he was in fair condition.
Elswich, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured.
Crews closed one southbound lane for about an hour while police investigated.