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Local News

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Drivers battle slick roadways

By ERIC SCHAADT

Staff Writer

The latest winter storm gave Findlay area motorists a variety of challenging road conditions Tuesday. Snow-covered roads early in the day gave way to slushy conditions in the afternoon before turning to ice by evening.

Despite the hazardous road conditions, area law enforcement agencies reported few serious traffic accidents Tuesday.

Snow fell throughout the day, and Findlay's Water Pollution Control Center measured five inches of snow on the ground as of 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office had issued a Level 2 snow advisory at 4:29 a.m. Tuesday. It remained in effect until 1:36 p.m. when it was reduced to a Level 1 snow alert.

A rural Arcadia man was injured in an ATV accident Tuesday night on Hancock County 218 in Washington Township.

The sheriff's office reported that Richard Ernst, 43, was traveling west on the county road, near Hancock County 257, at 10:06 p.m. when his ATV slid off the roadway and rolled over. Ernst was ejected from the vehicle and lost his helmet.

Ernst was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital where he was still being treated early Wednesday. The accident remains under investigation.

A pair of non-injury accidents were reported around 7 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 224 on Findlay's west side, according to the sheriff's office. A three-vehicle, non-injury accident on Ohio 12 at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday also was noted.

A Detroit man was cited for failing to control his Toyota 4-Runner on Allen Township Road 99, west of Allen Township Road 142, at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday. His vehicle skidded into the path of a westbound Chevy Trail Blazer operated by a Findlay resident. No serious injuries were reported.

A Chevy Trail Blazer driven by a Bloomdale woman went off Allen Township Road 99, west of County Road 230, and hit a sign at 12:06 p.m. Tuesday.

In surrounding counties, no serious accidents were reported.

Seneca County was under a Level 2 snow advisory Tuesday evening. A sheriff's office spokeswoman said there had been no significant wrecks in Seneca County, but snow was drifting onto roads in some areas.

Henry and Hardin counties were both under a Level 1 snow alert.

According to a Henry County sheriff's spokesman, the main roads were in good condition, but drifting snow plagued county roads.

In other nearby counties, deputies were summoned to a multitude of mishaps.

Motorists were sliding off the roads in Hardin County.

"We're on several accidents now," a harried Allen County Sheriff's Office dispatcher said.

Minor mishaps were reported by area State Highway Patrol posts, which reported that salt crews were on the job late Tuesday.

"It's starting to freeze up pretty much," said a dispatcher with the Lima post of the State Highway Patrol.

Numerous fender-bender mishaps were handled on Interstate 75, according to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol. However, traffic was not tied up.

Contact staff writer Eric Schaadt at:

(419) 427-8414

Send an e-mail to Eric Schaadt

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