DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia State Patrol tells Channel 2 Action News that it still responding to crashes from the icy conditions Tuesday’s snowfall left behind.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne rode along with Sgt. First Class Jeremy Hilley on Wednesday and he told Winne that abandoned cars on or near roadways have been numerous.
“We try to remove these vehicles so they can push the snow completely off the roadway, so that way it doesn’t continue to ice over and get back into the road,” Hilley said.
Hilley also said troopers and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division have been following state snowplows with blue lights.
“To bring awareness to other vehicles on the roadway to slow down move over,” Hilley said.
He said ice on surface roads in DeKalb County has been a big problem.
“Looks like a motorist tried to make it home last night on Panola Road and due to the roadway conditions here, they were unable to make it up this hill. They slid sideways and then they have just abandoned their vehicle in the roadway causing a traffic hazard,” Hilley said as they drove around DeKalb County. “We have another one up here that has slid off into the ditch on the same roadway.”
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“This stuff gonna refreeze tonight?” Winne asked Hilley.
“Most definitely,” Hilley said. “Causing a sheet of ice and it’s going to make (roads) impassable unless they can get out here and really scrape it.”
Hilley said Georgia’s law requiring drivers to move over one lane for emergency vehicles with emergency lights on or slow enough to be able to stop could save a life, especially with a slippery shoulder.
The trooper said helping stranded drivers, like jumping a battery for Rolliston McKenzie, from Jamaica, is a big part of GSP’s weather response.
“Did you get stuck here last night?” Winne asked McKenzie.
“Yes sir,” McKenzie said.
“Glad this trooper came along?” Winne asked McKenzie.
“Yeah, he’s a lifesaver. Thank you so much, sir!” McKenzie said.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Georgia State Patrol and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division said they had handled 1,960 calls for service, including 448 motorist assists and were investigating 268 crashes.
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