Storm Leaves "Treacherous" Streets And Highways; Man Found Dead In Vehicle Near Northgate

  • Wednesday, February 25, 2015
A man was found dead in his vehicle near Northgate Mall early Thursday morning after a snowy night made roads hazardous.
 
While traveling southbound in the 4850 block of Hixson Pike, the driver went off the road to the left and hit some bushes and a wooden fence. The driver was found deceased inside the vehicle.
 
Officers on the scene said it did not appear the man died as a result of crashing his car.
The exact cause of death is pending the medical examiner's report.
 
Sections of the Chattanooga freeways were closed at times Wednesday night by the heavy snowfall.

A tractor-trailer jacknifed overnight on the freeway in Marion County, causing some motorists to be blocked for as long as five hours. The tractor-trailer had been moved by early Thursday morning.

Amy Maxwell of Hamilton County EMS said at 8:10 p.m. that Interstate 24 is closed at the 182-mile marker. Also, I-24 eastbound at the Ridge Cut was closed due to a motor vehicle accident.

She said the front side of Signal Mountain was closed.
 
The roundabout at the Chattanooga side of the East Ridge tunnels was closed.
 
At 9:10 p.m., Highway 111 S. was closed due to a tractor-trailer wreck.
 
Highway 27 was nearly impassable.on Wednesday night.
 
Ochs Highway on Lookout Mountain was closed, as was the W Road, Roberts Mill Road and Hot Water Road to Sludder Road.
 
There were icy conditions on Amnicola Highway, Highway 153, and Roanoke at Wilcox.

Officials were urging motorists to stay off the roads and allow snow plows to clear the roads.

Jennifer Flynn of TDOT gave this report at 10:26 a.m.:
 

District 27 (Cookeville & Crossville) – I-40 - roadway surface has patches of snow and ice on the Cumberland Plateau and is clear and drying on Monterey Mountain.  All roads in district have patches of snow and ice or are clear and drying.  Crews either on standby and monitoring roadways or salting and plowing where needed.

 

District 28 (Dunlap & Tullahoma) – I-24 in Monteagle and Manchester clear and wet.  All roads in district have patches of snow and ice or are clear and wet/drying.  Crews either on standby and monitoring roadways or salting and plowing where needed.

 

District 29 (Chattanooga) – I-24 in Hamilton County is clear and wet, and I-75 in Hamilton, Bradley and McMinn counties has patches of snow and ice.  Other roads in the district have patches of snow and ice.  Crews are salting and plowing where needed.

 

Stan Clark of Bradley County EMS said on Wednesday night, "Bradley County EMS is experiencing higher than normal call volumes due to weather and other routine emergencies.

"There is still a considerable amount of vehicle traffic on the roadways. We are asking that the public please not be out driving unless it is absolutely necessary. Emergency crews are able to respond safer and in a more timely manner if they do not have to get around traffic in this weather.

"The roads in the Cleveland and Bradley County area are extremely treacherous. If you experience an emergency and are in need of assistance call 911. Do not attempt to drive under any circumstance to the hospital.

"The ambulances are equipped with snow tires for better traction. There are 4 wheel drive EMS supervisor vehicles on duty as well.

"This snow event should be taken very serious. Once again, please do not be out on the roadways."

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