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By Amy Kawata
Filed Under:crash, Local TV, Maryland State Police, Maryland Weather, snow in Maryland

PIKESVILLE, Md. (WJZ) — Hundreds of crashes, at least one of which was fatal, were reported across Maryland as the first major winter storm of the year brought snow, sleet and freezing rain.

As mother nature dumped snow, sleet and freezing rain on the roadways, drivers approached their Monday morning commute with caution.

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“There’s a couple knuckleheads but so far, so good,” said Ken Chamberlin, from Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania.

The several days of preparations by road crews have appeared to pay off for the most part, with major roadways mostly clear. Still, some of the less-traveled roads are posing a problem.

“They’re slushy, but they’re clear and as long as you go slowly, you can do it,” said driver Wendy Baker.

“Middletown Road is still pretty covered, it’s kinda icy but it’s still freezing rain up there, but as soon as you get on 83 it’s fine,” another driver, Cody Edwards, said.

A car flipped over along I-83 near the Hereford Zone Monday morning. It was just one of the crashes that happened. There is no word on the driver’s condition.

As of 10 p.m. Monday, officials from the Maryland State Police said since Sunday morning there had been 501 crashes, 233 disabled or unattended vehicles and 1,633 calls for service.

Many of the crashes were speed-related, officials said.

“The speed limit is set for ideal road conditions. So, if you see 55 or 65 on the interstate, that’s on a sunny day with perfect temperatures,” Brenda Carl with the Maryland State Police said.

A crash on I-70 westbound at Bill Moxley Road caused some lanes to close but all lanes have reopened at this time. No one was injured.

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Credit: Frederick County Sheriff’s Office

Another crash in Frederick County left a 64-year-old Frederick man dead. The county’s sheriff’s office said the crash happened around noon in the 6900 block of Ira Sears Road in Adamstown.

According to the sheriff’s office, the victim and two others were working with the Ecology Service Recycle
Disposal Company when the driver lost control and the truck overturned on an icy and snowy road.

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Mark Steven Williams, who was riding the back of the truck, was pinned under the truck and died at the scene.

In total, the sheriff’s office said its deputies responded to more than 340 calls for service during the storm, including at least 20 crashes.

Carl said with weather events like this, they have extra troopers standing by and as always, urge drivers to use caution.

“If you’re on the highway today, keep your eyes open for any situation that could arise because if it’s an ice condition, things can quickly get out of hand,” Carl said.

WEATHER COVERAGE:

Susquehanna Hose Co. responded to two crashes within thirty minutes of each other.

Baltimore County Police said as of 6 p.m. Sunday they had responded to 104 crashes.

The storm is expected to pass through Maryland over a 48-hour period. A wintry mix turned back to snow Monday afternoon and will continue overnight. Refreezing will again be a concern overnight.

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