Winter weather causes dozens of crashes, slide-offs

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Bad weather conditions made a mess of roads around Michiana, and left drivers stranded. (WSBT photo)

Bad weather conditions made a mess of roads around Michiana, and left drivers stranded. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Slick roads caused dangerous driving conditions across the area Monday night. Local police said the snowy weather was to blame for dozens of slide-offs and crashes.

Police scanners echoed the familiar sound of winter driving hazards.

"Respond to a rollover accident on the Bypass," one St. Joseph County Fire dispatcher told emergency crews.

"[Drivers] are going too fast for the weather conditions," said Indiana State Police Toll Road Trooper Gretchen Deal at the scene of a crash.

The driver of an SUV lost control of her car trying to merge onto the Toll Road at the Notre Dame plaza. A semi couldn't avoid hitting the SUV. Both were taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Plows struggled to keep up with the falling snow most of the day and into the night.

Tow truck drivers couldn't catch a break.

"We started at 8 o'clock this morning," said Toot'n Tellem tow truck driver Ray Bush. "We ain't stopped yet."

And the crashes just kept coming in.

Blowing snow across rural roads made them especially dangerous, and very slick.

"My tire kind of got caught on the side and it started swerving back and forth and I slid off into the ditch," said Catelynn Lawson, who slid off Douglas Road in Harris Township.

A head-on crash closed Dragoon Trail between Ironwood and Logan. As a result, two people went to the hospital, but not with serious injuries.

"The roads are very slick. You just have to be careful when you're out here driving," said Indiana State Police Toll Road Trooper Gretchen Deal.

Tow truck driver Ray Bush worried some roads could be even worse by Tuesday morning.

"Once this stuff starts freezing, oh yeah," he said.

The most serious injuries reported were from a single vehicle crash near the intersection of State Road 23 and Cherry Road in Harris Township. That happened around 8:30 Monday night. County Police say at least one person was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

Other than that police say most drivers were lucky, and not seriously hurt.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:19 PM Bob wrote ...

What part of "icy roads" and "SLOW DOWN" don't people understand?? My wife drives a 4x4 pickup and she drives extremely slow on ice (which is how it should be) but some morons in 4x4's think they'll NEVER end up in the ditch so they drive way to fast for conditions. It's those people that once they go in the ditch, my wife drives by, honks and waves!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 12:57 PM I hate snow! wrote ...

Winter time isn't my favorite time of the year, but unlike these morons who think they're invincible, end up in the accidents and take us innocent drivers along with them at times! This isn't the first time ever that Indiana has seen snow/ice! Police need to start ticketing these people who are speeding and don't have the windows cleaned off. PAY ATTENTION! Even those of us with 4X4's (well most of us with them) use our brains and go slow!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 11:20 AM OMG wrote ...

Maybe city and county need to rethink when to plow. I agree if there's only a couple of inches of snow leave it be - it's much easier to get traction than on a road plowed which then freezes. Slowing down does definitely help. Also, not all of us SUV drivers drive like idiots - I drive defensively with my SUV and have been passed by idiots driving too fast for the road conditions.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 11:04 AM roy wrote ...

The problem is young inexperienced drivers. 90% of the accidents are people under the age of 20. They panic.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:45 AM Ralph Corcoran wrote ...

My uncle was injured by a drunk driver who did not know how to avoid tons of snow on the hightway. He called on the cellphone saying that he was injured and we rushed to help him. He did not want to go to the hospital because he did not have insurance. So we took him to our doctor where he was examined. No plows to struggle with the highway was full of snow and drivers did not care stopping and help anyone who was stuck. Freezing temps make driving very dangerous. Please, spread some salt.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:09 AM Rick wrote ...

Quote "[Drivers] are going too fast for the weather conditions" EXACTLY! Wouldn't think people from states where they don't have winter conditions, would be relocating HERE for jobs. So, what is the excuse for their poor driving skills then? Sounds like too many in a hurry. Me me me. Get outta my way! I'm running late to where I gotta go! I don't have time to wipe off my vehicle! Drove past an insurance person's Dodge Magnum last night. Back window was only wiped off by the car's wiper blade.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 9:23 AM Southof30 wrote ...

I'll say it again... Thank God no one was seriously hurt. This should be an example to SOME of you folks with trucks, suvs, 4x4s etc.... Slow the heck down and show a little respect to those of us who can't get around in the snow quite as well as you. I think there is a false sense of security with a 4x4, they can slid off just like any other vehicle can. Please people slow down and be safe.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 9:18 AM Pat wrote ...

I understand the need to slow down when the roads are slick but I don't understand why our radio stations don't provide us with better traffic updates. For instance, why aren't they saying, "U.S. 20 Bypass is exceptionally icy so slow down to 50mph". I never see a trooper of any kind driving the highways in the mornings to check and report conditions. I hear a lot of prattle from the radio dj's but nothing that can advise drivers of the best roads to take.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 6:49 AM Pssed off wrote ...

Good maybe this will give the County Police something else to do than run radar on Bittersweet Rd. all day and doing "U" turns in the road after they write a ticket. NOTE TO POLICE* It Is Illegal For Even You To Do U Turns!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 5:32 AM South bend Resident wrote ...

People just do not understand SLOW DOWN do they, always in a hurry and do not even clean off there windows on there car, I think that the police should double the fine if you are caught driving over the speed limit or unsafe for the conditions. I had a lady pass me up very fast when I was going t owork yesyerday and she had only part of her winshield and drivers door window cleaned off, you could not even see her taillights..

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 5:20 AM Common Sense! wrote ...

Slow down folks!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 4:39 AM Robert wrote ...

this is absolutely ridiculous. why is it every single time we get any snow there are dozens of wrecks? people who live here should know by now that in the winter it snows, and when it snows the roads get slippery! i just got home from work at the roads were pure ice. only a fool would speed on them. i can not believe these people who continue to drive like maniacs on icy roads.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 1:49 AM sbntrouble wrote ...

Plows struggled to keep up with the falling snow most of the day and into the night.??? I think I got 2" maybe 3" at my house on the northside, I saw the same all the way to work tonight which is in New Carlisle. The problem I encountered was with the temps hanging around freezing, the wet plowed roads turned into a clear sheet of ice !! If they would leave the light snow on the roads, it would give terrain to the road allowing for "some" traction !! Sure 6" plow 2" or 3" leave it sit.

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