Freezing rain ices over New Kent, Charles City roads resulting in several crashes, some involving injuries

Thanks to icy road conditions, 16 crashes involving 21 vehicles have occurred Sunday in New Kent County. And as a result of those accidents, four people have been transported to area hospitals.

New Kent Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin issued the report as of 3 p.m. Most of the accidents (10) took place on New Kent Highway (Route 249/30) with three each occurring in the 17800 and 9800 blocks and one each in the 16300, 16200, 9800, and 3800 blocks. Three accidents were reported on Pocahontas Trail (Route 60), one in the 13300 block and two in the 3800 block. Two occurred on Farmer’s Drive (Route 273) in the 4800 and 5200 blocks, and one on eastbound Interstate 64 at the 214 mile-marker.

“The sheriff’s office continues to be aware of numerous roadway hazards caused by icy conditions,” McLaughlin said in an e-mail. “VDOT is out and they are attempting to address the highway hazard conditions. If you don’t need to be out, please stay in. The roadways are extremely hazardous and emergency response times are increased due to these conditions.”

State Police, meanwhile, fielded close to 200 calls for service Sunday morning resulting from icy road conditions, reports Sgt. Steve Vick.

From 8 a.m. through 12 p.m., troopers and dispatchers in the Richmond Metro and surrounding areas had fielded 198 calls for service, he said in an e-mail. During that period, troopers in the Richmond Division responded to 125 traffic crashes and 22 disabled vehicles. The majority of the crashes involved damaged vehicles and no injuries.

Six crashes out of the reported 125 accidents involved personal injury, but none of the injuries were considered life-threatening, Vick said.

“We remind motorists to be careful this afternoon and evening, to slow speeds, increase the following distance between yourself and other vehicles, and to wear your safety belt,” he said.