Extra slick roads yield numerous accidents

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by Lauren Conley

A week after a ruthless blizzard swept the area, we're still driving on icy roads throughout much of the Tri-Cities. And the dangerous conditions have some people worked up.

There's been close to 40 accidents in the past week due to icy roads.
Hastings police tell News 5 there's been at least a half dozen just Wednesday.

A flat tire. Luckily for the driver of the jeep, that's the worst of the injuries. He was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

"They got stuck in some of those grooves and it tossed their car around a little bit causing them to leave their lane of traffic and slide into the oncoming lane," said Hastings Sgt. James Baldwin.

Cars all over the city are having trouble getting traction.

"It's just sheets of ice everywhere."

Close to 200 people took to our Facebook page with their opinions. One person wrote:

"Everyone has said it. Hastings is an accident waiting to happen. The city needs to clean this mess up, show they care about the residents and their safety."

And another wrote:

"If this is as good as THE CITY OF HASTINGS can do with the budget they have, we should cut out their entire budget and not even try. Money was only wasted this snow storm."

The Street Department admits their budget is an issue.

"We still have the same budget we had 25 years ago so, we're trying to stretch it as best we can," said Stu Mohlman, Hastings Streets Department.

They said they've had crews out every day since the storm sanding what they call problem areas.

Wednesday, they're trying to sand and salt most of the city.

"Until we get some warmer temperatures its... especially shaded areas you have to watch," Mohlman said.

Both the police and street departments are warning people to slow down.

They're also asking drivers to keep a safe distance between other cars in case you need to stop suddenly.

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