STURGIS, S.D. – Snow and wind led to a number of accidents Monday morning, some with injuries, as drivers encountered slippery roads.
I-90 between Spearfish and Piedmont saw numerous crashes, including two at nearly the same time on each side of the Interstate just outside Sturgis’ Exit 32.
At Tilford, a tractor trailer accident ended up closing westbound I-90 at Exit 40. Traffic was being routed off the Interstate at Exit 40 because that semi was blocking the westbound lane at mile marker 39.
Farther up the Interstate, the Highway Patrol and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office were called to a one vehicle rollover at mile marker 11, where a car ended up on its roof in the median. The driver was reportedly out of the car and walking around but an ambulance was called to the scene to check him out.
Sturgis Police were also busy with in town crashes. Police Chief Geody Vandewater says they responded to four accidents that occurred within the city limits of Sturgis. All of these accidents were due to the poor driving from the winter storm that blew in early this morning. He says thankfully no one was injured in these accidents.
“Please remember to slow down when the road conditions are poor and give yourself extra time to get to where you’re going. It’s also a good reminder to make sure you have a full take of gas and cold weather gear in your car in case you get stranded for an extended period of time,” Vandewater said.
Sturgis public works was busy trying to keep roads cleared, but the heavy snow and wind were hampering their efforts. Once the snow stopped around 10:00 a.m., crews were able to catch up on clearing.
Law enforcement were encouraging motorists to slow down and remember their winter driving skills after a long bought with dry weather.
The wind and snow were not only making roads slick, but visibility was also very poor due to blowing snow.
The SD511 system says roads across the Northern Hills are scattered snow to ice covered and slippery. That includes Highway 34 heading east of Sturgis and Boulder Canyon between Sturgis and Deadwood.
