GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — One U.S. soldier remained hospitalized as of Thursday evening following an early-morning crash with a tractor-trailer on the autobahn A3 near Waldaschaff earlier in the day.
Six other soldiers who sustained minor injuries had been released, according to a statement from U.S. Army Europe and Africa on Thursday.
The soldiers were traveling west in a Renault minibus about 6 a.m. Thursday when their vehicle slammed into the back of the tractor-trailer, Lower Franconia police said in a statement Friday.
One passenger was trapped in the van and had to be cut from the wreckage, police said. The roadway was closed for about three hours, German news outlet Bild reported.
It’s still unclear what unit the service members are attached to and where they were headed. USAREUR-AF did not immediately respond to questions Friday.
The international airport in Frankfurt is a popular transit hub for American service members.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured and able to continue on his way, according to Bild.
Southern Germany has been hit with several inches of snow and severe winter weather over the past two weeks, making roads slick and travel treacherous.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, the Army statement said.
“We are deeply grateful for the rapid response and continued support of our host‑nation emergency responders, whose professionalism and unwavering cooperation are vital to our shared safety,” the statement said.
