Snow-covered roads cause numerous crashes

The sudden change from Friday's mild temperatures to snow-covered roads Saturday caused several crashes across the Ohio Valley.

The snowy weather made for bad driving conditions, causing an accident on Interstate 70 Eastbound in Ohio County that left one woman injured. First responders in Tridelphia and Valley Grove came out around noon to help.

The weather seemed to take everyone by surprise.
"I talked to somebody earlier, and they weren't calling for any accumulation today," said Mike Westfall, of Elkins, W. Va. "So, I think it took everybody by surprise with snow laying everywhere."

One woman from Cleveland said it was sunny in her hometown up north, so they came south for snow.

"It was beautiful yesterday and snowing today," said Sherri Gulich, of Cleveland. "Yes, we were a little surprised to see the snow today, but it's winter. It's to be expected."

In Jefferson County, emergency dispatchers reported at least 30 minor crashes. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were called out to Route 7 Northbound after a car crashed into the guardrail.

Just hearing the number of crashes and seeing change in weather made residents share their thoughts.

"We've had too much warm weather, and it's not good for us. People are getting sick," said Susan Clark, an Ohio Valley resident.

Ohio Department of Transportation and the West Virginia Department of Highways had crews out plowing and salting roads.Luckily, many of the accidents reported, including Belmont, Harrison and Tuscarawas counties, had no injuries.

"It's wet, heavy, slick snow, so I mean you've got to be really careful driving," said Westfall.

Even though the roads may look wet from the snow, dispatchers were still handling weather-related crashes well into the evening hours.