(WRIC) — Crashes and disabled vehicles continue to plague interstates in the Commonwealth this morning.
Northern Virginia is seeing the worst of it so far. As of 6:00 a.m. Thursday, Virginia State Police are on the scene of 33 traffic crashes statewide with 24 of them in Northern Virginia. Of the 71 disabled vehicle calls statewide, 70 of them are in Northern Virginia.
Troopers in Northern Virginia worked overnight moving as quickly as they could to investigate and clear crashes and disabled vehicles. Shifts were extended and troopers called out early in an attempt to keep up with the demand for calls for service.
Two troopers in Northern Virginia had close calls, though. One trooper investigating a crash on I-495 in Fairfax County was outside his vehicle when he was struck by a van making a sudden lane change. This was not “weather-related,” as police say the van swerved to avoid a car coming into its lane. The trooper was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Another trooper was investigating a crash on I-95 in Prince William County just after midnight when his vehicle was struck by a passing vehicle that slid out of control. Fortunately, the trooper was not injured.
From 12:00 a.m. Wednesday through 12:00 a.m. Thursday, Virginia State Police responded to 767 traffic crashes statewide and 392 calls for disabled vehicles.
On Wednesday, the Fairfax Division responded to 123 traffic crashes and 110 disabled vehicles. Also on Wednesday, the Salem Division responded to 228 traffic crashes and 41 disabled vehicles.
For comparison: From 12:00 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 19) through 12 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 20), Virginia State Police responded to a total of 200 traffic crashes statewide.
The bulk of the crashes began in Southwest Virginia on Wednesday morning, when the very first wave of snow coming through the area. The second wave then impacted Western Virginia along the I-81 corridor by mid-afternoon, and made its way to Northern Virginia by 5:30 p.m.
State Police told 8News that they worked multiple accidents in a 12-mile stretch of Interstate 64 in Goochland County on Wednesday night. Preliminary reports indicate no serious injuries. Icy conditions are believed to have caused at least one of the wrecks.
We also heard reports of icy patches on Route 360 in Chesterfield County last night.
As drivers head out Thursday and prepare for what’s forecasted for Friday, police remind all Virginians to drive safe and drive to save lives:
- Clear off all snow from your vehicle – windows, roof, trunk and lights
- Add extra time to reach travel destination
- Slow speed for road conditions
- Increase driving distances between vehicles for increased stopping distance
- Buckle up and don’t drive distracted
- MOVE OVER for all stopped emergency vehicles, highway vehicles and two trucks.
Motorists are also asked not to abandon their vehicles in the roadway as this causes even more delays and prevents VDOT trucks and other emergency vehicles from being able to move through the area.
Stay with 8News for continuing coverage of this developing story.
