Spring storm leads to icy conditions and multiple crashes
Apr 12, 2022, 11:01 AM | Updated: Jun 20, 2022, 1:11 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — From Salt Lake County to Utah County, the Utah Highway Patrol responded to dozens of crashes Tuesday morning. State troopers say drivers misjudged the clearer roads in the valley – and were going too fast for conditions.
“With a late spring snowstorm like this, it reminds us of how we need to continue our good driving habits,” said UHP Sgt. Cameron Roden.
Some drivers failed to keep that in mind.
“We’ve had about 55-60 crashes handled so far this morning,” Roden said.
One multi-car crash blocked southbound Interstate 15 lanes near 2100 North in Lehi, while multiple crashes, spinouts and a rollover on Bangerter Highway between 10400 South and 6200 South caused major delays.
And Salt Lake City police investigated seven crashes on the 600 North overpass, just east of the I-15 on and offramps.
Roden said they were all due to icy conditions on the overpass.
“The road temperatures gets fairly cold especially those bridges and overpasses and they tend to get some black ice.”
With more snow forecasted later Tuesday, drivers can expect snow, slush and ice on mountain passes.
“So, if you’re traveling through those areas make sure you use extra caution, really make sure you monitor your speeds through those areas,” Roden said.
In Park City, snow stuck to the roads making for some slick conditions. The Utah Department of Transportation expected this storm to dump a lot of snow in the mountains.
This is probably the worst I’ve seen this morning – SR 224 in Park City. Snow packed roads, low visibility. Plows are out. Drive safe! @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/feJnItsE3u
— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) April 12, 2022
“This is an intense storm, really affecting the mountain areas,” said UDOT spokesperson John Gleason.
The weight of the spring snowstorm too much to bear for trees blanketed with cherry blossoms in one Murray neighborhood — a beautiful mix of a winter wonderland and blossoming spring.
“I think this is a good reminder that we live in Utah and these things happen, you know, this might not even be the last winter storm we have,” Gleason said.
