In Moore and Wayne counties, drivers grapple with snow, slick streets

Drivers in Wayne and Moore County grappled with heavy snowfall, prompting many drivers to abandon their vehicles or were forced to obtain help to push their sliding cars.

Posted 7:23 p.m. Jan 4, 2018 — Updated 5:40 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — When the storm system moved into central North Carolina, some of the heaviest snowfall was reported in Moore County, catching many drivers off guard.

At least two drivers were killed when a pickup truck overturned in a creek shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, killing both people inside, authorities said. Authorities said Michael Wilson, 57, and Jerry Wilson, 73, both of Bear Creek, died at the scene when the Dodge pickup crashed and was submerged in the water.

Eddie Thomas, assistant chief of the Seven Lakes volunteer fire department was one of the first people on scene.

He said because the vehicle was submerged, there was no way to see in, and that the water around the truck had already re-froze.

"I have not been out (on the roads) today, but last night, the roads were all snow covered with at least 2 to 3 inches on them. Driving last night was extremely hazardous," Thomas said. "This is some of the slickest snow I have ever been in."

Up to 6 inches of snow fell in Southern Pines, prompting some drivers to abandon their vehicles after they ended up stuck along the side of the road.

"I just knew at the time we were already sliding and we were spinning a lot and the kids were getting scared," said Sarah Hopkins, who decided to leave her vehicle. "My car is in (a friend's driveway) until we can get it out."

Hopkins said she spent the night at her in-laws because there was no way she could drive home to West End as she had planned to do. As of Thursday afternoon, she remained at her in-laws until she could retrieve her vehicle and go home.

Moore County authorities said no major accidents involving injuries had been reported as of noon Thursday.

Wayne County sees heavy snow

Wayne County was one of the areas in central North Carolina that saw some of the heaviest snowfall, with up to three inches of frozen precipitation recorded in Goldsboro.

As of noon Thursday, many of the side streets in Goldsboro were still completely covered, according to information from the Wayne County dispatch. But authorities said snow had been cleared from most of the major roads as of Thursday afternoon.

The state Department of Transportation tweeted that residents should be patient while road crews worked to clear debris from the roads.

"I was going about 15 to 20 miles per hour on the way in, and I had people passing me like it wasn't nothing," said James Anders, an employee for a private company working to clear snow from the streets. "But I value my life too much."

Authorities in Wayne County reported that since midnight Thursday:

At least five accidents have been reported, although the number could rise.
At least 10 cars have been reported abandoned on the side of the road or slid into a ditch.

Suggest A Correction