William Moore | Daily Journal
Andy Hankins of Tupelo Wrecker loads a Ford Fusion onto a roll-back wrecker Friday morning after a three-car wreck on Highway 45 just north of Shannon.
By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Old Man Winter rolled through the region Friday, leaving roadsides scattered with cars and two dead in Alcorn County.
According to Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Ray Hall, two cars hit a patch of ice on U.S. Highway 72 near the APAC plant around 1:30 p.m. and had a minor fender-bender and slid off the side of the road.
Hall said the occupants got out of their vehicles and were assessing the damage along with a motorist who had stopped to help. An 18-wheeler coming down the highway hit the same ice, jackknifed and struck three people – two adults and a child.
One adult was pronounced dead on the scene. The second adult was transported to Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Corinth and pronounced dead. Hall said the small child was taken to the hospital and is listed in stable condition.
The wreck delayed eastbound traffic for several hours as officials cleared the scene. The names are not being released, pending notification of next of kin.
Sleet and freezing rain during the morning rush hours left many roads across the region with icy spots, especially on bridges and overpasses. By mid-morning, accidents were being reported on Highways 45 and 78 – among others – from Marshall County to Lee County to Oktibbeha County and most points between.
The majority of the accidents were minor with cars slipping and spinning. Some ran off the road and stopped while others ran into things before stopping.
“We were kept busy all morning with accident calls,” said Tupelo Police Department Lt. Chuck McDougald. “Thankfully, nothing has been major so far.”
The Mississippi Department of Transportation reported ice on roads and bridges from the Tennessee state line south as far as Monroe and Oktibbeha counties.
The Natchez Trace Parkway reported icy conditions from Chickasaw County and north. By noon Friday, officials were advising motorists to stay off the parkway from Highway 8 near Houston north to Nashville.
A warm front moved into the region Friday afternoon, bringing warmer temperatures and rain. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 100 percent chance of rain today in the region with temperatures rising to 60 degrees. Officials believe any accumulated ice will melt today.
william.moore@journalinc.com