Snowfall Leads To Multiple Crashes In Tulsa Area

Tulsa Police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are working several crashes Wednesday morning that they say are weather related.

Wednesday, February 20th 2013, 10:20 am

By: News On 6


The snow caused a mess on some Tulsa roads Wednesday.

EMSA says it responded to 22 car accidents in the area, as of 4 p.m., which is nearly double the normal daily average.

There were a few slick spots Wednesday morning, but mainly the roads were slushy. The snow on the roads melted around noon, but not before it caused some serious trouble for drivers.

It's been awhile since the City of Tulsa has seen this much snow and it's taking some drivers by surprise.

"I was going the speed limit. She kept telling me to slow down," said Rita Willis.

Her trip to the dentist ended with her car on the trail along Riverside.

"Fish-tailed and couldn't control the car and swirled around," Willis said.

When she hit a slick spot on the road, her car traveled all the way down a hill, dodging trees in between.

"I thought we were gone, especially when we came down this hill and near the embankment right there," Willis said.

During the morning rush, EMSA says it responded to 12 car accidents with injuries.

As of 4 p.m., EMSA had responded to 22 collisions and transported nine people to area hospitals.

One driver was traveling north on Highway 169, when she lost control and went down a hill. EMSA said three people were transported to the hospital in fair condition after that crash.

We also spotted two cars in a ditch near 81st and Oswego Avenue.

Tulsa Police say the largest trouble spot was on Yale between 81st and 91st, where the road is curvy and steep.

"Cars are becoming stuck, running off the curbs into the ditch areas, so we have several traffic accidents that occurred in that area," said Sgt. Rex Mann.

Police stopped all traffic on the road for a couple of hours, while snow plows cleared the street.

"We did have some build up on bridges and overpasses and we had to address some of those issues, putting a little salt down," said Tim McCorkell, of the City of Tulsa.

The city has its full crew on the road with a total of 64 trucks.

"Everything has gone real well. The guys have done a great job, so we're just ready to take on whatever happens," McCorkell said.

The city is still monitoring the roadways and gearing up for tonight.

If you have to drive or even be outside, make sure you're very careful. EMSA says it also responded to five people who fell from walking on slick pavements.

Of all the injuries incurred Wednesday, EMSA says none were in serious or critical condition.

To check road conditions in Oklahoma, call the Department of Public Safety's hotline at 888-425-2385.

To check out-of-state road conditions:

Arkansas 800-245-1672
Colorado 303-639-1111
Kansas 866-511-5368
Missouri 800-222-6400
New Mexico 800-432-4269
Texas 800-452-9292

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