Washington State Patrol troopers responded to 40 crashes throughout Eastern Washington on Wednesday due to winter weather and slick roads, according to Trooper Jeff Sevigney.
Sevigney said the crashes were spread throughout District 4, which includes Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman Counties.
Nearly three inches of snow fell in Spokane on Wednesday afternoon into the evening. That makes Wednesday the heaviest single-day snowfall of the season so far during a relatively mild winter.
Another round of snowfall is expected on Friday and could continue through the weekend.
None of the crashes were fatal or injury crashes, apart from a semi crash at Trent Avenue and Vista Road in Spokane Valley. Sevigney said that crash was not weather-related, as a semi truck failed to stop at the intersection and hit an 89-year-old driver.
On a normal day, WSP investigates less than a dozen crashes in all seven counties, Sevigney added.
“Forty is a high number, although we have seen higher,” he said.
Thursday morning has been a bit quieter so far. Sevigney said most of the state highways and interstates in District 4 are wet and bare with slush in some places. Troopers have still responded to several collisions as of 8 a.m.
The City of Spokane said crews are sanding and deicing arterials, hills, bridges and other problem intersections on Thursday morning.
Sevigney reminded drivers to slow down and keep a safe following distance in snowy or icy conditions, along with turning the car’s headlights on when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
