February 1, 2023
Ice-covered roads wreak havoc for motorists, force schools, businesses to stay closed
Ice-and-snow-covered roads continued to wreak havoc for motorists and close schools and businesses Thursday in Southeast Missouri. Many schools in the area closed Monday, and all area schools have been closed since Tuesday due to the inclement weather which iced over parking lots, sidewalks and streets. Business and government offices closed due to the weather, too.
By Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat
Ice-and-snow-covered roads continued to wreak havoc for motorists and close schools and businesses Thursday in Southeast Missouri.
Many schools in the area closed Monday, and all area schools have been closed since Tuesday due to the inclement weather which iced over parking lots, sidewalks and streets. Business and government offices closed due to the weather, too.
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop E, winter weather storm totals from midnight until 7 p.m. Tuesday included the following: 137 calls for service; 57 were stranded motorists, 59 crashes, five injury crashes, six injuries from crashes and zero fatalities. Wednesday totals included: 181 calls for service; 71 stranded motorists; 62 crashes; three injury crashes; three injuries from crashes; and zero fatalities.
While Sikeston Department of Public Safety did not respond to any crashes overnight Monday or Tuesday due to the weather, several jurisdictions to the north and south of Sikeston did, according to Sgt. Tyler Rowe, public information officer with Sikeston DPS.
“When it comes to conditions like Tuesday and Monday night, we want to remind citizens to only drive if absolutely necessary,” Rowe said. “The road conditions this week were solid ice which creates a substantial risk to the drive and others on the road. Traction is less when there is ice and the time required to stop is greater.
He continued: “If someone has to drive on ice-covered roads, they need to take their time, give themselves more space between other drivers in case they have to stop. Most newer vehicles have ABS brake that assists with stopping, but if someone was to lose control, they more times than not try to overcorrect the vehicle, making it worse.”
Reduction of their speed is the biggest factor, Rowe said. Also motorists should make sure the vehicle has plenty of fuel in case they are stranded and ensure their tires have good tread on them. They should also properly warm the vehicle and ensure all snow and ice is off the vehicle so there is complete visibility through all the windows, he said.
On Thursday, the main roadways including Interstate 55, State Highway H, State Highway AA and East Malone Avenue are mostly clear, according to Capt. Nathan Rapert with Miner Police Department.
“A few of our less traveled neighborhood streets are still a bit slick with some ice coverage, but for the most part are clear or currently melting and are able to be traveled,” Rapert said. “We do urge drivers to still use caution, as there is still patches here and there of black ice.”
In addition to officer-and-trooper-related crashes, other wrecks have occurred in the area this week.
Earlier in the day at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the 17-mile marker on Interstate 57, three miles east of Charleston, two Illinois residents received moderate injures after their vehicle ran off the left side of the road and overturned, according to the Patrol. The driver of the vehicle, Ronnie L. Lumpkin, 54, of Herrin, Illinois, was flown to Saint Francis Medical Center while his passenger, Joshua P. Lumpkin, 29, of Herrin was taken by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.
The Patrol also reported crashes on Tuesday with minor injuries in Risco, Bertrand and Dexter. A Malden, Missouri, man was moderately injured after his vehicle slid of the icy road into a ditch late Tuesday near Bernie, the Patrol said.
A Georgia woman was seriously injured after the vehicle she was riding in ran off the roadside and overturned late Monday on US 60 West, off Route AH in Stoddard County. Charlotte Burnfin, 72, of McDonough, Georgia, was taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center.
Advertisement
Advertisement