Drivers in, towing companies out while battling snowy conditions
BOONE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – Dangerous road conditions in Northwest Indiana due to the winter weather are forcing some drivers to turn around.
Blizzard conditions north of Lafayette along I-65 snarled traffic and caused several slide offs.
One stretch of I-65 known for accidents, near Lebanon in Boone County, was rather calm Wednesday evening. It’s the same spot where about 40 accidents were reported during a snowstorm on Valentine’s Day.
The commute during the evening hours was rather smooth. Boone County Dispatch reported only two accidents. One involved a semi-truck on I-865. Another happened on SR32 when a car lost control on black ice. Dispatch couldn’t confirm anyone was seriously hurt.
While at a rest area north of Lebanon on I-65, truck driver George Robinson was busy searching for a hotel for the night. He said he was on his way to Chicago from Columbus, Ohio. Robinson said other truck drivers warned him that he would need to put chains on his tires if he planned to drive north of Lafayette in order to have better traction on the snow. The problem is he doesn’t have any chains.
“Right now we’re just trying to find a room in Lafayette and they’re all sold out and the ones that aren’t are price gouging like you wouldn’t believe. So right now we’re kind of stranded. We don’t have a sleeper in this truck so we have to find a hotel,” said Robinson.
If he can’t find a room near Lafayette, he said he planned to head back down to Indy for the night.
He’s hoping by the morning INDOT will have had plenty of time to plow and salt the highway.
First responders aren’t the only people responding to accidents on slick roads. Towing companies are prepared for a busy night.
Devol and Son Garage in Lebanon has drivers ready to work well into the night since it runs 24 hours.
All they ask is that other drivers are mindful of them as they pass by.
“It’s so dangerous out there with the cars passing you at 30-40 miles an hour with icy conditions. That’s the biggest challenge, just watching yourself not to get hit or the car that you’re hooking to get hit. And trying to get off the road safety and quick as you can,” said owner Chris Devol.
Devol said luckily, they haven’t gotten a call yet tonight.
But he added that he was nearly dispatched to the semi accident on I-865.WEATHER RESOURCES