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Spring snowstorm snarls traffic in Region

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GARY, Ind. (AP) — A spring snowstorm surprised motorists across northern Indiana Monday, leading to crashes that backed up traffic during the morning commute and prompting at least four counties to issue travel advisories.

Snow that began falling heavily near the Illinois/Indiana state line around 6 a.m. CDT led to crashes that closed at least three lanes affecting both directions on Interstate 80/94 in Lake County. Indiana State Police said spinouts and slide-offs also littered the Indiana Toll Road in Lake County.

"There's crashes all over the place," Sgt. Larry LaFlower of the Sheriff's Department in adjacent Porter County told The (Munster) Times. He said a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain was covering road pavements, creating hazardous travel conditions in the northern part of the county.

The National Weather Service said parts of northern Indiana could expect 1-3 inches of snow accumulation, mainly on grassy areas. Smaller accumulations were forecast for north central Indiana.

The hazardous travel wasn't limited to the northwestern corner of the state: several crashes occurred along I-69 in and near Fort Wayne.

Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Allen Counties each issued travel advisories, the lowest level of local travel advisory, meaning routine travel or activities could be restricted.

The LaPorte County Sheriff's Department said the crashes it investigated Monday morning included a car rear-ending a stopped school bus with 33 students aboard and waiting to turn into a school Monday morning. No one was injured in the crash.

 

Posted 3/23/2015

 
 

 

 

 

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