A Missouri man died early yesterday morning after he somehow got onto the westbound lanes of I-70 in Washington County and drove east, right into the path of a tractor-trailer.

State police identified the victim as Jason Allen Jensen, 33, of Blue Springs, Mo.

Troopers said that around 4:10 a.m., Mr. Jensen was driving east on westbound I-70 near the Murtland Avenue exit in South Strabane when the operator of the tractor-trailer, Todd R. Minich, spotted oncoming headlights.

Mr. Minich, 37, of Newville, Pa., told troopers that he tried to steer his rig clear of Mr. Jensen's car but was unsuccessful. The car slammed into the side of the tractor-trailer. Mr. Jensen died at the scene, troopers said.

Mr. Minich was taken to Washington County Hospital.

The investigation of the accident closed part of the interstate until 11:40 a.m. and backed up traffic for miles.

First Published: August 5, 2007, 6:30 a.m.