Details released on crashes that left drivers stuck on I-71 in central Ohio

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol on Monday released more details about two crashes on Wednesday that shut down Interstate 71 in central Ohio and left drivers stranded for more than eight hours.

The initial crash happened at about 10:30 p.m. near mile-marker 88 in Madison County when a tractor-trailer failed to yield while exiting a construction zone and was hit by a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, troopers said.

No injuries were reported in that crash.

A second crash happened when a tractor-trailer noticed traffic slowing down from the first crash but couldn't move over to the left lane due to traffic. The driver slowed down in the right lane and was rear-ended by a second tractor-trailer, troopers said.

The driver of the second tractor-trailer was taken to a hospital for possible injuries. The passenger was flown to a hospital with serious injuries, according to OSHP. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

“I think it was about 11:15 when we finally hit our stop on traffic,” said Emma McLaughlin, who was on her way back to Columbus from a Kesha concert in Cincinnati. “I think we kind of hoped it was only going to be for an hour or so. But it turns out it ended up being nine hours, which is outrageous.”

She said herself and others that were stranded didn’t really get any answers until about 6 a.m.

“Nine hours with no restroom, no water, it was miserable,” McLaughlin said. “I think all of us were just really ready to get home and get some rest because it was daunting.”

Both crashes remain under investigation.