Wintry mix of ice and snow causes crashes, keeps road crews busy
This truck was heavily damaged in a multi-vehicle accident early Monday on Interstate 70 near Claysville.
This car was involved in a multi-vehicle crash early Monday on Interstate 70 near Claysville.
Bob Niedbala/Observer-Reporter
Minor injuries were reported following a single-vehicle crash at about 11:50 a.m. Monday on Crucible Road in Cumberland Township.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Ron Earley, left, with the City of Washington, fills a truck with salt during the snowstorm in Washington Monday.
Bill Householder uses a snowblower to clear a sidewalk along West Chestnut Street in Washington on Monday.
Ice followed by snow made for treacherous travel early Monday in Washington and Greene counties, leading to several crashes, including wrecks on Interstate 70 eastbound between the Claysville and Taylorstown exits in Donegal Township that involved 13 vehicles.
The conditions were a perfect example of what freezing rain can do, said Joe Lucas, assistant Claysville fire chief.
“The roads were slick, but we didn’t have any issues,” Lucas said.
The first crash was reported about 6:10 a.m. on I-70 in Buffalo Township, when one driver lost control of their vehicle on I-70 because of “winter storm conditions.” Police said the vehicles behind that car tried to slow down, but it created a chain reaction of crashes, involving two tractor-trailers, one construction vehicle, four pickup trucks and six sedans. One tractor-trailer jackknifed, blocking the road.
State police said one passenger involved in the crash was taken to Washington Hospital with minor injuries.
The highway reopened to traffic about three hours later after the vehicles were removed and the state Department of Transportation plowed and salted it, Lucas added.
PennDOT reduced speed limits on several highways, including a stretch of Interstate 79 between the north junction with I-70 and the Parkway West, to 45 mph. The restriction was lifted Monday afternoon.
“When you have sleeting rain that then freezes, it can be challenging for crews,” said Valerie Petersen, spokeswoman for PennDOT’s District 12, which includes Washington County. “But the traffic is flowing on the interstate, and the good news is that drivers appear to be adhering to the lower speed limit.”
Petersen said 62 plow trucks were working out of six stockpiles in Washington County, along with five anti-icing trucks.
“We have enough salt and anti-skid,” Petersen said.
Washington Councilman Ken Westcott, who oversees the street department, said crews were out pretreating the roads first thing Monday morning, before they started plowing the snow.
“The snow kept coming down pretty hard, but the main roads were clear,” Westcott said early Monday afternoon. “Now, the crews will be working on the alleys.
“This is the first year we have been using the brine system, and it seems to be working well,” Westcott said. “It allows us to get ahead of the storm and is also saving money on salt.”
Westcott said there is a tank containing the brine at the city garage on West Wheeling Street.
Minor injuries were reported following a single-vehicle crash at about 11:50 a.m. Monday on Crucible Road in Cumberland Township. Police there said a vehicle traveling west apparently slid on the snow-covered highway, ran off the road and overturned.
The driver, Evonneda Victor of Crucible and her 15 year-old daughter were taken to WHS-Greene hospital near Waynesburg with minor injuries, according to Victor’s husband, Randy, who was on scene. Victor’s 18-year-old son who was also in the vehicle was not injured. Carmichaels-Cumberland Township firefighters responded to the call.
Carroll Township police Chief Paul Brand said roads were bad Monday morning, with one crash on Route 88.
“PennDOT and our local road crews have been out,” the chief added.
Brand said students in Ringgold School District did not have a delay or cancellation.
Smith Township police Chief Bernie LaRue said all the roads in the township were “messy” Monday morning, but by late morning the main roads were clear.
“Ice was the main issue, and then the snow on top of it,” LaRue said.
Chartiers Township police Sgt. Steven Horvath said no crashes were reported Monday morning on township roads, although a township plow truck did catch fire. Information on the cause of the fire and amount of damage was not immediately available.
Staff writers Bob Niedbala and Katie Anderson contributed to this story.