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.
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