Beavercreek accident closes U.S. 35; driving hazardous

DAYTON — Snow, sleet and freezing rain overnight left roads and sidewalks slippery and hazardous across southwest Ohio, and schools and organizations canceled numerous events. A traffic wreck Saturday morning on U.S. 35 in Beavercreek involving a stolen truck injured three people and forced temporary closure of the eastbound lanes.

Police said the red pickup truck that crashed at about 6:30 a.m. along U.S. 35 near Shakertown Road had been stolen in Fairborn on Friday night. The three injured occupants, including one who had been ejected from the truck, were taken to Miami Valley Hospital, Beavercreek police said.

Alcohol may have contributed to the crash, along with the slippery roadway, police said. Police found empty alcoholic beverage containers and a smell of alcohol in the truck,WHIO-TV reported.

One of the truck’s occupants suffered life-threatening injuries and the other two were reported in stable condition, police said.

U.S. 35’s eastbound lanes were reopened before noon Saturday. No charges were filed while the investigation continues, police said.

Numerous schools and other organizations canceled activities scheduled for Saturday, because of the hazardous driving conditions. Police were dealing with slide-off accidents across the Miami Valley.

Among the events canceled Saturday was a dialogue on race relations that was to have involved students and faculty from Sinclair Community College, Wright State University, the University of Dayton and Central State University. The event, which was to have taken place at Sinclair, was canceled because of the inclement weather and will be rescheduled, organizers said.

Interstate highways were down to one or two cleared lanes across the Dayton region, for the most part. Many secondary and rural roads awaited clearing and treatment.

Trucks were also deployed to clear snow and slush from the University of Dayton Arena’s parking lot for the men’s basketball game at 1 p.m. Saturday between Xavier University and the host Dayton Flyers.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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