Ice, Rain Cause Headaches for Drivers

Emergency crews were busy with storm-related accidents along I-8 and I-15

Slick roadways caused a number of serious accidents around the county and shut down a major east to west highway for several hours Monday.

A big rig overturned on northbound I-15 at Rancho Bernardo Road causing the closure of three lanes just before 10 a.m.

CHP opened Fast Trak lanes and called in a tow truck to get the big rig up and off the highway.

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At the same time, CHP officers responded to a single-vehicle crash near the Interstate 8 onramp at College Avenue that killed one person. Two other people were sent to a nearby hospital. No word on the severity of their injuries.

The onramp was shut down to traffic at 10:10 a.m. due to the collision.

Ice and snow shut down Interstate 8 in San Diego’s East County from six miles east of Alpine to Ocotillo.

CHP officers reopened the highway to traffic just after 9 a.m. Monday.

Caltrans diverted eastbound traffic at the East Willows Road exit where drivers either parked to wait out the closure or found other ways to their morning destinations.

One man, heading to El Centro with a delivery of flowers, had to sit in his truck until he got the go-ahead.

β€œI called my boss and he told me to sit here and wait until it opens,” said driver Ronnie Montijo.

Earlier Monday, there were two significant crashes along I-8. Cars flipped over because of the dangerous road conditions.

Before 7 a.m., Firefighters responded to a car that had veered off the road at Black Mountain Road and West View in Mira Mesa.

Emergency crews pulled at least one person out of the car and loaded the patient into an ambulance.

Julian and Mountain Empire schools were closed Monday.

In Julian, there was a lot of snow and low visibility early Monday as occasional wind gusts of 50 mph sent fresh snow flying through the air.

One Julian resident said since the snow is such a novelty for San Diegans, the tow truck driver will be the busiest man in town.

Patrick Brady said even in his 4WD vehicle he has to be careful on the roads.

β€œIt certainly makes a difference, makes it quite an adventure,” said Brady. β€œBut that’s how it is here. We get snow.”

The owners of Laguna Mountain Lodge report 16 inches of snow as of 8 a.m. Monday on Mount Laguna. 

As of 10 p.m. on Monday evening, the CHP reported a grand total of 120 collisions in San Diego County. The peak of those Monday accidents was from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., when 16 crashes were reported.

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