Two students remain in critical condition at Memorial Hospital after being injured in a car crash on Saturday night.
The victims, one a junior at Notre Dame and the other a junior at Saint Mary’s, were in a Mercury sedan with a 53-year-old South Bend resident. While heading east on Niles Bridge, the 53-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle on the icy road, spun across and through the center lane, and crashed head on into a westbound vehicle.
Officers were called to the crash scene around 9:30 p.m. Two people were trapped in one of the vehicles. While emergency workers tried to remove them, the driver of a Ford Mustang also lost control of his vehicle and struck the fire truck blocking the accident scene.
The truck was pushed back and struck the vehicle with victims still being extricated. Three emergency workers suffered minor injuries as a result of that accident.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident, but traveling too fast for conditions appears to have been the cause of both accidents.
Driving on Icy Roads
With the weather suddenly taking a turn in the Midwest, it is important for drivers to be particularly cautious while passing areas where ice is likely to form on the road. Below are some tips for driving on icy or snowy roads.
- Reduce your speed and give yourself time to maneuver driving slowly
- Provide a longer distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you
- Avoid slamming on your brakes
- If you happen to skid, avoid jerking at the wheel to straighten it out
If you lose control of your vehicle, try to steer toward something that will cause the least amount of damage, and try to get the vehicle away from other motorists.
Unfortunately, accidents during winter weather are all too common. If you or someone you love was hurt in a traffic accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact our auto accident attorneys for a free consultation. You may be entitled to file a claim and obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and more.
For a free case review, contact a personal injury attorney at our South Bend office today by calling (844) 678-1800 or fill out a contact form.
