Woman, 9 months pregnant, slides off icy road on way to doctor

HICKORY, N.C. — A woman in Hickory who is nine months pregnant was trying to get to a doctor's appointment when she lost control of her car on an icy road Wednesday morning –- and a second vehicle slid off the road in the same spot just minutes later.

She was driving on Airport Rhodhiss Road with a layer of snow and ice on it that was very slick, according to officials.

First responders said that neither she nor the unborn baby were hurt.

Stephanie Youman said she wouldn't have ventured out Wednesday morning, but she's a first time expectant mother and is one day overdue, so she was worried about her unborn son.

"Definitely memorable if he decides to make an appearance today. Definitely make it very, very memorable," she said.

Road crews were out first thing Wednesday morning trying to cut into the layer of ice on the main roads, but with the temperature below freezing there were still some tough conditions by noon.

Joanna Gragg was driving on Second Avenue Northwest in Hickory, and at first glance the roads seemed clear. It was when she turned on a shady side street that she encountered problems.

"It is crazy. All you're doing is slipping and sliding. Make sure you stay on the roads with no ice," Gragg said.

Hickory police told Channel 9 they responded to 58 wrecks Tuesday -- more than six times the amount they respond to during a normal day.

While roads have improved today, there are still plenty of areas that are wet or snow covered that could become a problem as the temperature falls again tonight.

WSOC