More Than 400 Crashes Reported During Maryland's First Snow Day
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland's first responders were very busy Thursday responding to more than 400 accidents across the state after the first measurable snowfall. At least two people died in accidents in Maryland as well.
According to Maryland State Police, troopers responded to 421 crashes between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. along state-run highways. This doesn't account for accidents in local jurisdictions.
Maryland First Snowstorm Means Hundreds Of Crashes Despite Roads Being Treated
Anne Arundel County Police reported two fatal accidents Thursday among the 74 accidents reported. The first accident was at 5:31 a.m., when a man in his 60s died after he was struck walking a Pasadena roadway. The second accident was at 10:32 a.m. in Millersville, where a woman in her 20s died after her car collided with a utility work truck.
The snow started falling just before dawn Thursday leading to slick roads during morning rush hour. Some parts of Maryland saw snow, while others saw sleet or a wintry mix. The slick roadways meant accidents and delays.
Most schools across the state also closed for the day. Government offices however remained opened.
Although transportation officials urged caution on the roads, the accidents along the roads lead to major delays. In Frederick County, a jackknifed tractor-trailer and an overturned firetruck caused a standstill along those roads.
Although forecasters said it would change to rain by noon, the snow continued to fall through the early afternoon.
"I might get stuck for a couple of days, who knows," said Matthew Leduc. "I've got all-wheel drive but you can't trust it with the ice."
The State Highway Administration prepared for the snow Wednesday by filling up trucks and prepping for icy roads, giving every highway west of 95 a brine treatment.
"This is the kind of snow storm that allows us to kind of knock the dust off snow equipment for the year and get our guys in the groove and ready to go," said Gregg Slater of the State Highway Administration.
Here are some of the snowfall counts as of Thursday evening around Maryland.
Some top snow storm totals for the area include:
- Frostburg: 9.0"
- Taneytown: 7.0"
- Hancock: 6.0"
- Parkton: 5.2"
- Norrisville: 4.5"
- Hagerstown: 3.5"
- Pimlico: 2.3"
- BWI Marshall: 1.7"
Some schools decided to close Friday, while others just delayed.
The sun has already melted most of the ice and snow.
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