Snow and Ice Causes Three Deaths and 1,100 Crashes in Virginia

Hundreds of crashes were reported across Hampton Roads due to a hazardous combination of black ice and snow overnight Monday.

According to Virginia State Police there were more than 1,100 crashes on the highways of the Commonwealth.  About 300 of those happened here in Hampton Roads.

WAVY.com reported on highly hazardous conditions for drivers as snow coated Hampton Roads on Monday night.

“It was terrifying,” Tiyania Bynum said. She told WAVY about she lost control of her SUV on black ice. It was a story being repeated across the state.

As well as injuries the weather conditions led to three deaths across Virginia, WVEC.com reported.

Virginia State Police an 18-year-old from Rustburg died in a weather-related crash in Campbell County around noon on Monday.

Around the same time, Sarah Singleton died in Brunswick County.  She was a passenger in an SUV driven by a family member.  The driver was charged with reckless driving.  State Police say the bad weather was a factor in the crash.

The third fatality was a 30-year-old driver who was killed around 11 a.m. when he lost control of his truck and crashed into an embankment in Amelia County.

A State Trooper sustained minor injuries when his patrol car was rear-ended in Augusta County.

“The interstates turned into graveyards for cars.  Tow trucks were busy helping get them home,” reported WAVY.

Roads crews were working through the night with sand and salt to help prevent the streets from turning to ice.  In Suffolk, with its huge network of rural roads, crews had 19 trucks out all night long.

So why was Monday’s snow event more serious on the roads than the previous snowfalls in January? Reports allude to a layer of black ice under the snow that made driving far more hazardous than hitherto seen.

If you sustained an injury in the bad conditions, due to the fault of another, it’s important to take all of the appropriate steps. Do not discount your injuries or admit any blame. And contact an experienced Virginia Beach car accident attorney to help you with the process. Call Cooper Hurley at 757.455.0077 for a free consultation.