A wave of accidents disrupted travel across Salina and surrounding areas on Saturday, January 4, as winter weather conditions created hazardous roads. According to information provided to Salina311 by the Saline County Sheriff's Department, numerous incidents were documented throughout the day, involving single-vehicle crashes, multi-vehicle collisions, and several semi-truck accidents.
Major Incidents with Injuries
The day began with a single-vehicle rollover on I-135 near Milepost 95 at 10:55 a.m., which resulted in injuries. Later, at 11:08 a.m., a two-vehicle collision at Crawford and Simpson caused one vehicle to overturn, leaving several individuals injured. Another injury accident occurred at 11:00 a.m. on I-70 Milepost 250, when a vehicle slid off the road and struck a sign. A serious incident at 2:27 p.m. on I-70 and Hedville Road involved a semi-truck sliding through a stop sign and colliding with a southbound vehicle, also resulting in injuries.
Semi-Truck Accidents Cause Significant Disruptions
Semi-trucks were involved in a number of accidents throughout the day:
- At 11:40 a.m. on I-70 Milepost 259, a semi jackknifed into a ditch.
- Another jackknifing incident occurred at 1:42 p.m. on I-70 Milepost 253, blocking an on-ramp.
- A semi slid into a parked tractor-trailer on I-135 Milepost 93 at 6:00 p.m..
Later in the evening, at 9:17 p.m., a semi collided with another parked semi on I-70 Milepost 249. A similar incident occurred at 9:41 p.m., when a semi sideswiped a parked semi on an I-70 ramp near Milepost 244.
Other Notable Accidents
Several other notable accidents were reported:
- At 11:51 a.m., a vehicle collided with a sign in the 13,000 Block of W K-140.
- At 12:57 p.m., two vehicles collided on E Old 40, with one rear-ending the other.
- At 3:01 p.m., a vehicle slid into a sign on an I-135 exit ramp near Milepost 93.
Overall Impact
In total, 17 accidents were reported in Salina and surrounding areas, highlighting the dangerous travel conditions caused by the icy and snow-covered roads. While some incidents resulted in injuries, many were limited to property damage. Emergency responders worked tirelessly throughout the day to clear roadways and assist those involved.
Local authorities urge drivers to exercise extreme caution during winter weather, reducing speeds and maintaining a safe following distance. Residents are also encouraged to monitor weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during storms.
For continued updates, follow Salina311 for the latest information on road safety and weather conditions.