Five people were hurt, one seriously, in a head-on collision early this morning on Route 38 in Washington Township.

Winter weather and slick road conditions were blamed for the wreck about one quarter mile north of North Washington.

“The roads are terrible,” said Chief Nick Grove of the North Washington Volunteer Fire Company. “They’re nothing but snow and ice.”

The crash about 6:20 a.m. closed a portion of Route 38 in both directions between Hilliard and North Washington roads. Crews were still at the scene at 7:45 a.m. and were expected to be there for up to another hour.

State police are investigating the wreck but an accident report was not immediately available.

The accident happened when a sport utility vehicle and a car traveling in opposite directions collided.

Firefighters had to rescue the driver of the car, a woman, who was seriously injured and trapped in the wreckage. She and two children in her car were taken to Butler Memorial Hospital. The children’s injuries were believed to be minor, Grove said.

The driver of the SUV and one of two passengers were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Tow trucks were called in to remove both severely damaged vehicles, authorities said.