Travel Advisories Remain In Effect Through Tomorrow

(PIKESVILLE, MD) — Despite the warming temperatures this afternoon, Maryland State Police are urging motorists to remain cautious as the weather continues to cause hazardous driving conditions around the state and dropping temperatures tomorrow evening could create a scenario similar to this morning.

As of 1:00 p.m. today, preliminary figures indicate Maryland state troopers have responded to 330 crashes across the state in the past 24 hours. None of the storm related crashes have involved a fatality, but more than one dozen involved injuries. Troopers are still dealing with multiple minor crashes throughout the state. Most involve cars sliding off roads and becoming stuck. Troopers are working with MDOT State Highway Administration personnel to remove these vehicles so road clearing operations can continue more effectively.

At about 5:30 a.m. today, 15 vehicles were ultimately involved in a chain reaction crash on the inner loop of I-695 at Rt. 702. Troopers report drivers began losing control due to black ice in the area. Several people were transported to Franklin Square Hospital and Bayview Hospital, although no injuries were reported to be serious.

Just before 8:00 p.m. yesterday, troopers from the La Plata Barrack responded to Rt. 301 at Orlando Park Road in Newburg, for a multi-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer. Two persons were killed in that crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Shortly after 5:00 p.m. yesterday, before the storm began, troopers responded to a fatal collision on Rt. 50 at Powellville Road in Wicomico Co. A 70-year-old man was reportedly driving a truck south on Powellville Road and crossed Rt. 50, into the path of a tractor trailer westbound on Rt. 50. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The weather forecast is calling for falling temperatures tomorrow afternoon and evening. Coupled with the predicted drop in temperatures, icy roads could again become a hazard tomorrow night into Monday morning.

Drivers are reminded they can view the latest road conditions on the MDOT State Highway Administration’s website at www.roads.maryland.gov and clicking “CHART.” Travelers may obtain the latest free traffic and weather information by calling 5-1-1 from a landline or a hands-free mobile device or logging onto www.MD511.org.