Snowfall results in a bevy of accidents in Washtenaw County, sending 3 to hospitals
Today’s surprise snowfall kept Michigan State Police busy responding to accidents throughout Washtenaw County. Three people were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
State Police responded to about 20 crashes between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., said Trooper Josh Reeber of the Ypsilanti post.
Of the three people transported to the hospital, none were believed to be seriously injured, he said.
Westbound I-94 at the M-14 connector was narrowed to one lane for about 40 minutes late this morning after a multi-vehicle pile-up. Several more accidents were reported along I-94 at Baker Road and at Pierce Road, Reeber said.
The junction of US-23 and I-94 was the scene of a pair of multi-vehicle accidents.
Some of the accidents involved rollovers.
Reeber said “traffic was pretty heavy today - a lot of people were coming home” and were reluctant to adjust road speed to match the conditions.
Ann Arbor Township Fire Capt. Lewis Kempf reported numerous “slip-and-slides” on the expressways, but no injuries.
“That little bit of snow packed down to ice real quick,” he said.
The department responded to several incidents on M-14, including a two-car “spinout” at Maple Road. The wreckage also included signposts and a light post knocked over on the Maple Road roundabouts.
Comments
Regular Voter
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 12:23 p.m.
Bevy?
Really?
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 10:22 a.m.
I love the people that complain that there aren't enough salt trucks on the road... They're usually the same people the complain that all unions need to take cuts and lay people off. Basically, there are just people that like to complain. Here's a thought... it's ice. Drive slow. Or, support your public workers and stop your bitc... I mean complaining.
Jon Saalberg
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 8:56 a.m.
People keep blaming inanimate objects for human behavior - if you drive too fast for conditions and don't pay attention to how the roundabouts work, your likelihood of greeting the verge, a pole or another vehicle are pretty good.
walker101
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 8:23 a.m.
Hey AA you need to hire contractors to do what the City is paid to due, they'll even waive the permit fee and only charge $100 bucks a mile. WOW!
Jeff S
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 2:10 a.m.
I wonder how many light posts will be left at the Maple Road roundabouts by the end of winter.. There are several that have been hit and have been lying on the ground for months already.
John Galt
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 1:12 a.m.
Well, it seems we need to spend a million on things like City Art and let the roads ice over. Remember, it's all about global warming....we don't need snow and ice removal anymore, apparently.
bruno_uno
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 10:52 p.m.
i drove on 23 at 10am, traffic was light, speeds were slow, problem was no salt trucks made driving very dangerous
cibachrome
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 9:45 p.m.
Experientia docet stultos
bereasonable
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:49 p.m.
several of the lights at the roundabouts have been casualties to incidents since they were installed, and next fall a whole new crop of drivers going through them each school day. sure glad they are so much safer that they're going to build more!
FifT7
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 7:01 p.m.
How was this weather a surprise? It was predicted we would have some snow. What was surprising was the lack of response to the conditions. It wasn't until late morning and early afternoon, before I saw some salt put down at the icy intersections. I saw a 4WD SUV attempt to make a right turn from Maple on to Liberty, but even though he was traveling very slowly, he slid straight through the intersection (missing his turn altogether). And, contrary to Trooper Reeber, that driver was going very slow at the time. So, the real people who were "reluctant" to adjust to the conditions was the A2 and/or Washtenaw County Road Commissions for not getting on top of this earlier. But, hey, they were only trying to save a few bucks on salt today. Meanwhile, many motorist are now trying to improve the economy singlehanded, by paying for their very expensive fender-benders.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.
Maybe they didn't read the Ann Arbor News piece on how to clean the windshild of snow & ice before driving!