Connecticut Ice Storm Leads to Numerous Accidents, One Fatality, Multiple Injuries

By Brian McCready, Patch Editor

The severity of Sunday’s serious ice storm took most of us in Connecticut by surprise, which led to numerous accidents including a fatal one involving an 88-year-old Woodbridge woman, police said.

Police say icy conditions in New Haven likely led to the fatal accident.

Emergency crews were summoned to North Frontage Road around 8 a.m. regarding an accident, said Officer David Hartman, New Haven police spokesman.

Elizabeth Mohr, 88, of Woodbridge died at the scene. A group of local nurses who were nearby tried to render assistance, but her injuries were too great.

Investigators determined that Mohr lost control of her vehicle as she passed Howe Street and she struck a utility pole, Hartman said.

There were too many accidents to even list around the state on Sunday. The state of Connecticut urged residents not to travel until noon on Sunday. Bradley International Airport shut down for a period of time on Sunday because of the icy conditions, reports NBC Connecticut.

Greenwich police reported collisions all over town, and pedestrians have slipped and fallen. Cars have spun out trying to climb minor inclines: STAY inside until its warm, Greenwich police said on social media.

New Canaan Emergency Management Director Michael Handler wrote on Facebook road conditions are extremely hazardous Sunday morning due to ice on most of the town’s roadways. There are numerous motor vehicle accidents and abandoned vehicles on the roads and highways, Handler reported.

“Please stay off the roads until weather conditions improve and the Town’s highway department is able to treat the roadways,” Handler wrote.

Fairfield police also wrote, “Extreme icy conditions exist. Multiple motor vehicle accidents in the area. Do not drive if possible.”

Westport police on Sunday urged drivers to stay off the road until Sunday afternoon, as this morning’s ice storm has caused multiple accidents and emergency calls on town roads, the Merritt Parkway and I-95.

“It’s not going to be safe until this afternoon when the weather warms up and they get sanders out there,” said dispatcher Don Rice of the Westport Police Department, who warned about the black ice.

There have been numerous accidents and numerous emergency calls, locally and on I-95 and the Merritt, he said.

“Right now, it’s extremely important for people to stay off the roads,” Rice said earlier on Sunday.

A list of some of the reported accidents reported in Connecticut Sunday:

• Interstate 84 in Farmington closed for a period because of a multi-vehicle crash, WFSB 3 reported.
• New London, a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 near Exit 87, resulting in six people being injured, WFSB 3 reported.
• Hundreds of cars reportedly stranded between Bridgeport and Greenwich because of numerous accidents on Interstate 95, NBC Connecticut reported.
• Route 15 southbound was closed between Exits 36 and 35 due to a multiple vehicle crash in Stamford.
• Route 83 in Ellington was closed for awhile because of a one-car crash.
• Route 2 in Glastonbury was closed due to a one vehicle crash, NBC reported.
• An accident was reported on the Wilbur Cross Parkway near the Hamden and New Haven line.
• An accident was reported on Interstate 84 in Newtown.
• The Connecticut Post reports one traveler was stranded in Greenwich near Exit 2 on I-95 because of an accident.
• A car reportedly spun out of control in Southbury leading to an accident there.

Other Specific accidents:

• Route 83 Totally Closed in Ellington
• New Haven Crash Kills Woodbridge Woman
• Multiple Lanes Closed on I-84 in West Hartford
• Multiple Lanes Closed on I-91 in Windsor
• I-95 Exit Ramp Closed in New London

Across Connecticut, the National Weather Service issued a freezing rain advisory until 1 p.m..

“Light icing will make roadways and walkways hazardous,” the NWS said.

Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan described Sunday morning as a catastrophe.

“A catastrophe on the roads this morning with countless accidents and cars on the side of highways waiting for the ice to melt,” he wrote on Facebook. “Be careful this morning if you have to venture outside or delay your plans. Temperature will warm above freezing in most areas by noon.”

Weather Forecast From NWS

Today’s Weather: Rain, could be heavy at times. Chance of thunderstorms. High near 44. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 2 and 4 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 31. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday, Jan. 19: Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Photo Credit: New London Firefighters

NBC Connecticut shared the below video, of an SUV sliding across I-84.