A sudden icy morning in Lexington triggered traffic accidents, with crash numbers surpassing those recorded during the much larger Winter Storm Fern, according to newly released police data.
Icy Conditions Cause Surge in Crashes Across Lexington
On March 17, a mix of freezing temperatures and unexpected snowfall created dangerous road conditions during peak commute hours. The result was 92 crashes between midnight and noon, far exceeding the total recorded during the multi-day Winter Storm Fern.
The storm dropped only about half an inch of snow, but icy surfaces made roads extremely hazardous for drivers.
Police Overwhelmed by High Volume of Accidents
The Lexington Police Department reported being overwhelmed by emergency calls, forcing officers to temporarily stop responding to non-injury crashes for nearly three hours.
At one point:
- All interstate lanes were shut down
- Major city roads became impassable
- Emergency response resources were stretched thin
Icy Roads Responsible for Majority of Wrecks
Data shows that 78 out of the 92 crashes were directly linked to icy road conditions, making ice the primary hazard…