Icy Roads & Crashes: Mid-Ohio Valley Roads Reopen

(PARKERSBURG, W. Va.) – Multiple crashes caused by slick road conditions snarled traffic across Wood County, West Virginia, Thursday morning, though most routes have since reopened.

Several crashes, including tractor-trailers overturning, prompted closures on Interstate 77 and other roadways, though no injuries were reported in most incidents.

• Interstate 77 northbound lanes and Route 14 in Boaz have reopened to drivers.
• Two people were hospitalized following a crash on Williams Highway in Boaz.
• Crashes were also reported on North Oak grove Road and Staunton Turnpike, both of which have been cleared.

Both southbound lanes of Interstate 77 between the Emerson Ave and Williamstown exits reopened Thursday morning, according to Wood County 911. However, northbound lanes remained closed for a period after several tractor-trailers jackknifed and overturned, officials said.

Did you know? – Black ice forms when temperatures are near freezing and light precipitation occurs, creating a thin, obvious layer of ice on roadways. It’s often difficult to see, making it particularly dangerous.

In Boaz, two people were transported to a hospital after a crash on Williams Highway early Thursday morning. Wood County 911 reported crews began working to clear the scene around 6 a.m., and the road remained closed near 1345 Williams Highway. A Wood County Sheriff’s Deputy, Camden Clark ambulance Services, and fire departments from Vienna and Williamstown, along with a salt truck, responded to the scene.

A weather-related crash also occurred on North Oak Grove Road in the Williamstown area, prompting a response from the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Department and a Wood County Sheriff’s Deputy. Dispatch reported the road was blocked where the crash occurred. No injuries were reported at that location.

Pro tip – Reduce your speed significantly when driving in cold weather conditions. Increase your following distance and avoid sudden braking or steering maneuvers to maintain control.

A separate crash near the 700 block of Staunton Turnpike was cleared Thursday morning. Dispatch confirmed the incident involved two vehicles and resulted in no injuries.

What This Means for You

Travelers in West Virginia are advised to exercise extreme caution due to the potential for black ice and slick road conditions. The West Virginia Department of Transportation provides real-time traffic information and road closures through its website,WV 511. For those traveling in neighboring Ohio, OHGO offers similar resources.

Time.news based this report on reporting by WTAP and added autonomous context.