Icy Roads During Tuesday’s Commute Led To Dozens Of Crashes Around Green Country

EMSA said it responded to 39 crashes in the Tulsa area and took 11 people to the hospital because of injuries from wrecks on Jan. 9.

Crews said that is about nine times the number of response calls compared to a regular Tuesday morning.

Most of those crashes happened on or around bridges on highways and interstates.

The crashes kept tow truck drivers busy as they get ready for a long, cold week.

A cold start Tuesday as icy, slick roads led to several crashes, like one forcing Highway 66 near the Verdigris River Bridge to be closed both ways.

"It's been crazy busy,” said Kort Morgan with Morgan Towing and Recovery. “We've had wrecks all over the place."

Morgan said crews have been working non-stop since 6 a.m.

"We've had a couple of rollovers, people sliding their trucks into telephone poles; it's been pretty gnarly today,” said Morgan.

He shared some tricks of the trade.

"Good tires,” said Morgan. “Some people put on snow chains, making sure your trucks have the right stuff in them, like anti-gel, making sure your diesel doesn't gel up."

Those who drive for a living, like Jeremy Hinds with TeamOne Logistics, said planning is key.

"Check the news, see what's going on, check road conditions, we can also go on the internet to check road closures, these things, then you basically start calling your customers, 'We're not going to make it at 11, we're not going to make it at 12,’” explained Hinds.

TeamOne Logistics is based in Oklahoma City, and Hinds drove to Tulsa for a job today.

"We chose to hang on and wait a couple of hours, let the roads calm down,” said Hinds. “Once we left at about 9:30, the roads were pretty clear and dry, but there were a lot of accidents."

Here is Morgan’s advice on how to make it safely home and help those working on the roads do the same.

"You could save a life if you just slow down and move over," said Morgan.

EMSA said crews also responded to two cold exposure calls and took one person to the hospital because of their symptoms.