Highway Patrol responds to hundreds of accidents during winter weather

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Highway Patrol said it responded to hundreds of accidents in the Charlotte area on Friday.

Troopers were called to more than 300 accidents in Gaston, Mecklenburg and Union counties, officials said.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said its officers had responded to more than 100 accidents. At one point during the afternoon, CMPD said there were 64 accidents reported at the same time.

The Highway Patrol said the roads with the most crashes were Independence Boulevard, Interstate 485, I-85 and I-77.

Crashes on I-485 backed up traffic for miles during the evening commute.

Accidents were also reported in both directions on I-85. In one case, a tractor-trailer twisted and ran off I-85 north near New Hope Road. No one was hurt. Another wreck on I-85 southbound near Billy Graham Parkway closed two lanes, slowing traffic in the area.

Later in the rush hour, with reports of black ice in the Matthews area, a wreck was reported on the I-485 inner loop between Independence and exit 52.

Around 7 p.m., a car went off the road and into a fence at I-77 and Westinghouse Boulevard. Over at one of the busiest interchanges in the area, I-77 and I-485, an Eyewitness News photographer found a couple of crashed cars pulled over into the median.  Emergency crews responded to make sure the drivers were OK.

The ice also made Carmel Road a problem. There were numerous crashes, including one in which a car hit a small tree. Police lights kept other drivers from adding to the crash near Windwood Circle.

On Monroe Road near Covedale Drive, two cars came off a bridge and lost control. Both cars hit a retaining wall. One of the drivers suffered a broken arm from the crash.

Medic said they treated 29 people who suffered injuries in crashes on Friday.

Meteorologist Steve Udelson said slick roads will remain an issue through Friday night. A winter weather advisory is in effect for the entire area until noon on Saturday.

Officials with Medic reminded the public to drive slowly, increase following distance and take extra time.

Dozens of closings and delays were reported across the area on Friday. For the full list of closings and delays, click here.

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WSOC