Slick roads cause six-car pileup, headaches for emergency, road crews

The first snowfall of the season is causing headaches and overtime for emergency services personnel and road crews Monday evening.

The skies were spitting snow in the morning but by early afternoon, the flakes were falling in earnest.

Just after 4 p.m. a six-car accident involving a tractor trailer and five other vehicles closed both lanes of U.S. 52 at State Route 141. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers remain on the scene as of 6 p.m. A dispatcher for the state patrol said her troopers had been busy this afternoon.

Mike Willis, timekeeper for the Ohio Department of Transportation Lawrence County Garage, said his agency had six crews out.

“They’re out all over the place hitting the slick spots,” Willis said. “Some places are worse than others.”

Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said the city also had a crew out treating streets. He cautioned people to stay off streets for their own safety and to allow the street crew to do its job.

“If you don’t have to be out, stay inside,” Blankenship said.

Lawrence County Engineer Doug Cade said his office also has a crew out.

“We expect additional snowfall and will call out crews later on tonight, too,” Cade said.

Cade said his office has gotten calls about the condition of Slate Run (County Road 65) in Windsor Township.

Cade said this comes one day after his workers spent several hours clearing downed trees from county roads; the trees fell because of high winds. Cade said the eastern end of the county was particularly hard hit. County Road 70 (Little Paddy Creek), County Road 42 (Athalia Road) and County Road 2 (Greasy Ridge) were most affected by the high winds.