A bought of early winter weather that moved through the area Monday evening made late night and early morning travel treacherous leading to several accidents in Caldwell County.
Princeton Fire Chief Brent Francis says that crews were called to reports of a multi-vehicle accident on the westbound lanes of Interstate 24 near exit 56 around 2:40 Tuesday morning. He adds that when crews arrived they observed three vehicles in the median while one vehicle was off to the right-hand side between the interstate off-ramp and the roadway.
Chief Francis notes that the accident involved 11 people as well as several cats, dogs, and one hedgehog but no major injuries were reported. He expresses his extreme gratitude to the Lyon County, Trigg County, and Caldwell County EMS for their assistance in transporting all those involved to adequate warming shelters.
Chief Francis states that as crews left the original wreck scene they saw another vehicle had slid off the roadway and were able to help them safely get back on the roadway and continue on their way.
He also reports that crews had earlier responded to the report of a vehicle off the side of the roadway at the first mile hill on Dawson Road around nine Monday night. He adds that when crews arrived on scene they found an abandoned black Chevy Camero still partially in the roadway blocking traffic.
Chief Francis is reminding all motorists that during inclement winter weather it is always best to stay home but if you must venture out to be extremely cautious, drive slowly, and be sure to allow plenty of time for your commute. If you do have an accident, however minor it may be, Chief Francis is encouraging everyone to still call emergency services and report the accident, especially if your vehicle is blocking the roadway.
Other various non-injuries accidents were reported throughout the evening and early morning hours across the county and in Princeton.
Most state highways and highly traveled streets within the area are mostly clear thanks to the hard work of the Princeton Public Works Department, the Caldwell County Road Department, and the District 2 State Road Department. However, many side streets and less travelled roads still have several slick spots and with temps again dropping into the teens Tuesday night any melting has the potential to refreeze.
With warmer weather on the way, temps are forecast to reach above freezing on Wednesday and near 45 on Thursday, and plenty of sunshine, roads conditions should greatly improve over the next few days.
