Ice triggers multiple wrecks

By ERIN BLASKO, Tribune Staff Writer

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Monday morning accidents have authorities urging drivers to use caution on area roads. (WSBT Photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Water turned to ice on many Michiana roads Monday evening, leading to dozens of traffic accidents, including at least two rollovers.

About 6:22 p.m., a Michigan man traveling south in the 3900 block of South Main Street in South Bend slid off the west side of the road and flipped his sport utility vehicle into a patch of tall grass.

"I was doing about 30 (mph) and trying to keep control," 28-year-old Daniel Shivers said as he stood in the cold and dark next to his vehicle, which rested on its hood. "I took my foot off the brake and I felt it slide. The front end swerved from side to side and the vehicle flipped over."

A passer-by helped Shivers out of the vehicle. He was not injured.

About 45 minutes later, a South Bend woman traveling south on Crumstown Highway lost control and rolled her SUV onto its side near Pine Road.

Skid marks across the glazed roadway revealed where the vehicle skated across the centerline and into a yard on the opposite side.

County police said the woman, who was wearing a seat belt, dangled upside down for about 15 minutes while rescuers worked to stabilize the vehicle. They then broke the back window and cut her out, police said.

The woman reportedly suffered only minor injuries.

National Weather Service meteorologist B.J. Simpson said the icy roads were likely the result of a slight dip in temperature just after dusk.

"When the sun went down, the temperature dropped to 27, 28, 29 (degrees Fahrenheit)," he said, just cold enough to freeze water on the roads.

In South Bend, where 23 accidents had been reported as of about 8:30 p.m. Monday, many major roads were covered in a thin layer of ice, including much of Western Avenue and Sample Street on the west side of town and much of Main Street on the south side.

Portions of the St. Joseph Valley Parkway were also reportedly very slick.

County police reportedly responded to about 50 accidents during a two-hour period beginning about 6:30 p.m.

Only a handful of accidents were reported in Mishawaka.

Local police agencies reported no major injuries.

Staff writer Erin Blasko:
eblasko@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6187

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