CMPD identifies drivers killed in crashes on icy Charlotte roads

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Patches of ice created hazardous driving conditions across the Charlotte area overnight, as paramedics responded to more than 100 crashes between midnight and 7 a.m., with some wrecks forcing officials to shut down roads for hours.

PHOTOS: Icy roads wreak havoc on Charlotte drivers

Troopers were urging drivers to stay off the roadways early Saturday morning if possible, and a Freezing Rain Advisory was in place across the Queen City until 11 a.m.

The freezing drizzle combined with sub-freezing temperatures to create dangerous icy patches.

MEDIC told Channel 9 that they responded to 105 crashes since midnight -- nearly six times their usual call volume. Most of the accidents took place from uptown to the southern portion of Mecklenburg County.

Around 2 a.m., troopers responded to a large crash scene on Interstate 85, near Harris Boulevard. Witnesses told Channel 9 that several cars were involved.

The interstate had fully reopened by 6 a.m.

It was a similar situation on Interstate 77 at Arrowood Road after the Highway Patrol shut down the area for several hours after another serious crash. It has since reopened.

FORECAST: Bitter cold temps, freezing rain wreak havoc on roadways

Central Avenue had to be blocked in the area near 7th Street after several cars crashed around 2:30 a.m. A sergeant told Channel 9 that three of the cars spun out on the slick roads and collided with each other, while a fourth vehicle crashed trying to avoid the wreck.

Department of Transportation crews pre-salted area roads late Friday night, focusing on bridges, hospital entrances and the interstates.

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Just after 5:30 a.m., officers in southwest Charlotte responded to two separate deadly crashes.

The first happened on Shopton Road at Ayshire Glen Place at 5:32 a.m. Police had to block Shopton Road in both directions for hours while they investigated.

It appeared the car crashed down an embankment and struck a tree.

Officers identified the driver as 43-year-old Humberto Sanchez. He was pronounced dead at the scene and police said he was the only person in the car.

CMPD told Channel 9 that neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash, but that icy roads were to blame.

Police then responded to another deadly crash just 15 minutes later on Westinghouse Boulevard, near Rodney Street.

Investigators said ice was to blame for that wreck as well.

Shane Cornwell, 37, was driving alone in a Nissan Pathfinder when he hit a patch of ice on a bridge and lost control of his vehicle, according to police. The Pathfinder ran off the left side of the road, flipped and hit a tree.

Cornwell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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