A Columbus woman was killed in a traffic accident in Delaware County during the Tuesday’s snow storm.
Beverly K. Gillespie, 44 of Columbus, was traveling south on State Route 656 when she failed to stop at a stop sign and was T-boned by a truck driven by Rodney A. Henderson, 52, of Cardington, according to troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Delaware post. The accident occurred at 2:56 p.m. Tuesday.
Gillespie was transported to St. Ann’s Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. A passenger in Gillespie’s van, Annikia Hawkins, 31, of Columbus, was also transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, troopers said.
Henderson and his two passengers did not sustain any injuries in the crash, troopers said.
The crash remains under investigation. Gillespie was not wearing her seatbelt, troopers said.
The accident was one of many caused by treacherous road conditions created by this week’s snow storm.
The Delaware County Emergency Communications Department reported Tuesday at 4 p.m. that authorities had been dispatched to nine accidents throughout the county as a result of snow on the roads. County officials responded to three accidents and Delaware city personnel responded to six accidents. Authorities reported there were a few other injuries apart from the SR 656 crash.
Police added they had received numerous other calls about stuck vehicles but could not give an exact figure at press time.
Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin declared a Level 1 snow advisory at noon Tuesday when deputies reported that road conditions were not improving as the day went on. Officials urged drives to drive cautiously and avoid unnecessary travel.
Delaware City Schools, Delaware Christian School, Olentangy Local Schools, Buckeye Valley Local Schools, Big Walnut Local Schools and the Delaware Area Career Center all canceled classes Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington reported Tuesday that the snowfall began Monday evening and continued overnight and throughout most of the day Tuesday.
The service reported that visibility dropped to just a half a mile during the morning Tuesday. They reported accumulations of up to an inch.
The weather service also issued winter weather advisory Tuesday afternoon at 3:38 p.m. and it was to expire at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The weather service also issued a wind chill advisory Tuesday from 11 p.m. until 11 a.m. today. Wind chill values were forecast to be as low as minus 9 degrees Tuesday night.
Wednesday’s wind chill factor is expected to dip as low as minus 12 degrees. Temperatures during the day are expected to reach as high as 19 degrees with a low of 18 degrees tonight.
There is a 40 percent chance of snow showers today, mainly after 3 p.m. and much of the day is forecast to be mostly cloudy. The new snow is projected to accumulate less than half an inch.
There is also a 60 percent chance of snow showers tonight before 10 p.m. Again, new snow is projected to accumulate less than half an inch.
Thursday is forecast to be partly sunny with a high of 37 degrees and a low of 33 degrees. The National Weather Service is not forecasting snow again until Friday afternoon.
