Driver crashes into guard rail along I-71 at Fulton Road exit

CLEVELAND - An Amherst woman remains in critical condition after a car crash on I-71 and Fulton Saturday morning.

Cleveland Police said the accident happened around 8 a.m. on the West 25th Street entrance ramp to I-71 South.

A 2011 Ford Edge, driven by 36-year-old Amy Vitelli of Amherst, Ohio, had struck a guardrail that impaled the vehicle by going through a side and exiting through the rear window.

The Cleveland Division of Fire responded to extract Vitelli from the vehicle. Vitelli suffered severe injuries to her left side and leg. Cleveland EMS transported her to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment where she remains at this time.

Cleveland Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, however; the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews on scene reported the crash was weather related.

ODOT District 12 will continue to have crews out throughout the evening and into Sunday as needed, in Cuyahoga, Lake & Geauga Counties as a result of freezing temperatures and continued lake effect snow.

Nearly all roadways in our three-county area are wet, but icy spots can persist - particularly on bridges and overpasses. Nearly all roadway are running at or near typical speed, however conditions can change minute-by-minute and mile-by-mile - particularly with lake effect snow!

As always - ODOT's best advice: "In Ice & Snow... Take it Slow!"