Snow and Sleet Responsible for Area Wrecks

SMITH COUNTY � The weather has been responsible for numerous wrecks around the area. Shortly after 1:00 Sunday afternoon, in the span of 15 minutes, Tyler police reported six traffic accidents.

Street conditions in Tyler declined because the snow and sleet made the roads and highways difficult to negotiate. Motorists are still advised to limit all non-essential driving and exercise caution. Drivers should pay special attention to overpasses, bridges, and large culverts that may hasten freezing conditions on these surfaces. Drivers should also keep extra distance between their vehicle and the vehicles that are in front of them.

Numerous wrecks have been reported in Smith County, including one involving a State Trooper. Shortly after 8:45 Sunday night, Trooper Nic Castle was working a traffic crash on Interstate Highway 20, eastbound at the 570 mile marker, when his patrol unit was struck by another motorist. Castle was not injured; however the occupants of the Dodge Neon were taken to Tyler�s East Texas Medical Center. The Department of Public Safety continues to warn motorists of the potential danger of icy road conditions, and to use extreme caution when driving in inclement weather conditions.

Another Smith County wreck occurred on Interstate Highway 20 at the U.S. Highway 69 overpass Sunday morning. A pickup�s driver lost control of his vehicle and drove over the overpass, landing upside down on Highway 69. Reports from the scene were the driver was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.