Roads covered in snow lead to crashes, traffic gridlock
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Roads were covered in much of Mid-Missouri as the area saw its first snowfall of the season Saturday.
According to a social media post from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, as of 6 a.m. Saturday, Troop F handled 80 non-injury crashes, seven crashes with injuries, one fatal crash and 186 stranded motorists.
In an alert at about 10 a.m., Boone County emergency dispatchers said traffic was stopped on both sides of Interstate 70 at Sorrels Overpass, west of Columbia, because of several crashes. Dispatchers had been sending alerts throughout the morning about crashes in Columbia and Boone County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a social media post that the traffic issues were caused by a deadly crash in the westbound lanes just west of Columbia. The post didn't give any other details.
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Kyle Green one person was killed in the crash after a vehicle hit a tractor trailer. Green told ABC 17 News via text message he was not aware of any other injuries from the crash.
MSHP also said in a social media post that the driving lane of eastbound Interstate 70 at the 153 mile marker was blocked off due to a crash involving a tractor trailer.
🚨Crash Blocking WB I-70 @ 121MM🚨
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) November 30, 2024
Troopers are investigating a two vehicle fatal crash on westbound I-70, at the 121MM (just west of Columbia), in Boone County.
The driving lane is blocked and traffic is backing up quickly. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/rkznoFGKPV
Green said he was not aware of any injuries in the crash.
🚨Crash on I-70 in Callaway County🚨
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) November 30, 2024
Troopers are investigating a tractor trailer crash on eastbound I-70, at the 153 mile marker (just east of Kingdom City), in Callaway County.
The driving lane is currently blocked. Please be careful when traveling through the area. pic.twitter.com/9WvArbMXkd
The Missouri Department of Transportation's traveler information map showed snow covering the interstate from Columbia west through Saline County at about 10:30 a.m. The map also showed snow covering Highway 63 from Jefferson City north to Moberly.
The map showed Route UU in western Boone County was closed from Midway south to Route O because of snow.
A winter weather advisory remained in effect for a large part of Mid-Missouri through 6 p.m. Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, 3 to 5 inches is possible. Temperatures were in the mid-20s in the Columbia area by mid-morning.
