Hundreds of motorists in Virginia this morning woke up inside their cars in freezing temperatures, as snowy conditions left them trapped on highway I-95 for more than 19 hours.
The drivers were left stranded along the interstate following more than 14-inches of snowfall that led to a six truck pileup. Among the trapped motorists was U.S. Senator for Virginia, Tim Kaine.
“I started my normal 2 hour drive to DC at 1pm yesterday,” he wrote on Twitter. “19 hours later, I’m still not near the Capitol. My office is in touch with VaDOT to see how we can help other Virginians in this situation. Please stay safe everyone.”
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I started my normal 2 hour drive to DC at 1pm yesterday. 19 hours later, I’m still not near the Capitol. My office is in touch with @VaDOT to see how we can help other Virginians in this situation. Please stay safe everyone. pic.twitter.com/Sz1b1hZJZ5
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) January 4, 2022
Another driver, Anne Gould, told NBC Washington that she had become stuck on Monday afternoon and that by Tuesday at around 6:20 am, she had only moved forward by a few car lengths.
By 7 am Tuesday, the cars were still stuck and the Virginia Department of Transportation confirmed that both directions of I-95 were shut down between Ruther Glen, in Caroline County, and Dumfries, in Prince William County, which amounts to a 48 mile (77 km) closure.
This is exactly why we've been asking only those who HAVE to travel to be on the roads today in the midst of the storm. #VSP troopers, wrecker services, and #VDOT crews are responding as quickly as we can to the multiple stuck/disabled vehicles on I-95 at the #rappahannockriver. https://t.co/1oeG5SKYuL
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) January 3, 2022
Virginia State Police said that the closures were enacted to allow crews to safely reach stranded motorists, many of whom have run out of gas and supplies following the long stoppage. Fortunately, the police said that there have been no deaths and few injuries, though it advises anyone in need of urgent medical care to call 911.
“This is unprecedented, and we continue to steadily move stopped trucks to make progress toward restoring lanes,” said Marcie Parker, VDOT Fredericksburg District Engineer, in a statement. “In addition to clearing the trucks, we are treating for snow and several inches of ice that has accumulated around them to ensure that when the lanes reopen, motorists can safely proceed to their destination.”