Winter Weather in Maryland, January 9, 2002

Light drizzle measuring three hundredths of an inch or less fell from low clouds between 6 and 7 AM on the 9th. Temperatures on roads were below freezing so the drizzle froze on impact. This created slippery driving conditions during the morning commute and several accidents were reported. In Carroll County, 50 traffic accidents occurred, including 5 which involved school buses. A 47-year-old man who was directing traffic in his Eldersburg neighborhood was struck and killed by a skidding car. In Baltimore County, more than 270 accidents occurred in the western portion of the area, mainly along Interstates 83, 695, and 795. Portions of these roads were closed until salt trucks could arrive. In Harford County, spotty icing was reported in Fallston. In Howard County, officials reported 148 traffic accidents and 21 related injuries. Three school buses were involved in accidents. Routes 32 and 175 were temporarily closed by icy conditions. In Montgomery County, a 15-year-old girl who was crossing a 4-lane highway in front of Northwest High School was struck and killed by a car that was unable to stop on the slippery road. County police responded to 240 traffic accidents between 6:45 and 10 AM, including 40 that involved school buses. A Rockville hospital treated 145 people for slip and fall injuries and a Bethesda hospital treated 50 people. A 20 car pileup was reported on Rockville Pike, and two separate 10 car pileups occurred on Old Baltimore Road and Georgia Avenue. Several roads were temporarily closed by the icy conditions.