11 snowplows work to clear Hopkinsville roads, HPD reports multiple wrecks

The Hopkinsville Police Department responded to four minor collisions Tuesday evening, due to hazardous and slippery road conditions.

ShutterstockHopkinsville Public Works snow plow truck. Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Dec. 12, 2023 (Daynnah Carmona)

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville Police Department responded to four minor collisions Tuesday evening, due to hazardous and slippery road conditions as the snow started to fall.

Officers responded to collisions on East Ninth Street, East 22nd Street, West Nashville Street, and at the intersection of MLK Bypass and Pembroke Road. In two separate incidents, drivers reported losing control of their vehicle on ice causing them to spin out and hit parked cars, while other vehicles collided with drivers on the roadway. No injuries have been reported.

Royale Marfil with HPD says, “It’s important to know that when conditions are like they are currently, you need to slow down while driving, turn your lights on and increase your following distance. When roadways are wet, snowy, slush-like, your braking distance significantly increases.”

Clearing roads

Today, Hopkinsville Public Works has 11 trucks out plowing the streets since 3 a.m. “Streets that have been traveled on the most are snow packed, and plows are not able to get all the way down to the asphalt,” said Public Works Director Mike Perry.

He shared with Christian County Now that the extreme cold temperatures will pose the biggest challenge for the next few days, adding that road salt is less effective when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.

Following the recent flooding this week, future road conditions will also be impacted. “Anytime you have water mixed in with freezing temps and thawing, it will cause damage to the streets and create potholes,” said Perry.

Drivers are reminded to stay diligent and stay home if possible.