A brief but intense burst of snowfall kept Windsor police busy managing approximately 20 auto accidents in the area on Thursday night.
On Highway 401 east of Manning Road, traffic slowed to a crawl following a few crashes on both sides of the highway. From 6-7:15 p.m., authorities say there were 10 crashes on the 401 alone between Manning and Puce roads. No injuries were reported in these accidents, however.
Extremely slippery and icy conditions were a major contributing cause in most of the crashes. Witnesses say wrecked vehicles sat in ditches, mangled from the collisions. In one accident, a big rig disconnected from its trailer and sat along the shoulder of the road.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had to slow traffic with flashing lights to prevent further accidents from occurring. The roads appeared to be covered in black ice, a serious danger to drivers especially during the evening hours.
More serious crashes happened in LaSalle, where firefighters extricated a driver from a crash at Laurier Drive and Marquette Avenue just after 5 p.m. The incident closed Laurier for two hours.
Additional crashes struck at around 9 p.m., where Windsor police were dispatched to handle seven accidents that took place in rapid succession on the iced-over Ouellette Avenue overpass.
Greg Monforton & Partners urges drivers to simply slow down during the winter months. Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and operating your vehicle with extreme caution is the best way to lessen the chance you will be involved in a crash.
If you are hurt in a crash, you have rights. Contact our car accident lawyers for a free consultation today. The Windsor personal injury lawyers from our firm charge no upfront fees to review the details of your claim.
Fill out our online form or call Greg Monforton & Partners at (866) 320-4770.