‘Wrecks caused by icy conditions’ rose during snowstorm in Upstate cities

Greenville police and other Upstate law enforcement agencies are limiting responses to non-injury crashes as icy roads from a winter storm continue to cause accidents.

According to Sgt. Diana Munoz with the Greenville Police Department, officers responded to 13 accidents on Jan. 31, two more than during the previous weekend’s snowstorm.

The total could be significantly higher after the police department announced that, during this winter storm, they would not dispatch officers to single-vehicle collisions without injuries.

Other police departments around the Upstate announced similar protocols during this time.

“Yesterday we warned everyone about how slick the roads were, and that danger hasn’t gone away,” said Greenville City Police Chief Howie Thompson. “Overnight, we saw wrecks caused by icy conditions, and as the day goes on, we’re concerned that more people will venture out to shop or attend activities. Every slide on the ice puts residents and our officers at risk.”

According to the National Weather Service, the Upstate received 4 to 7 inches of snow, with wind gusts up to 35 mph. Temperatures will remain cold today, with a high near 32 and north-northwest winds at around 7 mph. 

At night, temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 12.

Police departments in Anderson, Spartanburg, Duncan, Mauldin, and Simpsonville announced they are not responding to single-car accidents.

“It is not required that we come out to single vehicle collisions without injuries. Often, on private property collisions, we will issue these forms as well. If there are other factors, we will respond. It was not stated that we will not respond to normal calls for service,” the Mauldin Police Department said.

Accidents around the Upstate

According to the Anderson city police chief, Anderson officers have only responded to four road incidents. The Spartanburg Police Department said there have been 21 traffic collisions in Spartanburg since Jan. 31.

Department of Transportation

According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, there are no state road closures currently in the Upstate.

Click the camera icons on the map to zoom in on an area, then select the ones you want to view: South Carolina Department of Transportation:

Despite no statewide road closures, officials are still asking people to stay off the roads while county, state, and municipal crews work to clear roads.

“We have had a couple of our vehicles almost hit while we were out working on accidents,” says Greenville City Fire Chief Brian Horton. “Please stay off the roadways and let us do our job. People are driving too fast. They try to slow down when they see emergency vehicles, and they start sliding.”

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