Three people were hospitalized following a traffic accident early this morning in the outbound lanes of the Parkway East in Edgewood. A fourth person received minor injuries.

State police at Findlay said two vehicles where eastbound on Interstate 376 when one collided with the back of the other, causing both vehicles to go out of control.

Motorists were diverted from the highway to the Edgewood/Swissvale exit while investigators worked the scene. The road reopened at about 8 a.m. The accident happened at about 3:15 a.m.

State police said Mark A. Falcone, 21, of Pittsburgh, drove his pickup into the back of a car driven by Christopher Sage, 31, of Irwin, as both vehicles were eastbound.

Kenneth G. Chanter Jr., 26, of Saltsburg, a passenger in Mr. Falcone's vehicle, is in critical condition.

Mr. Sage was treated then released. His passenger, James Sherbine, 30, of Mt. Pleasant, was hospitalized. Condition reports were not available for Mr. Sherbine or Mr. Falcone, though both remain hospitalized, according to state police.

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