Multiple crashes reported as a result of icy roads; EARP in effect

A winter weather system should be out of the Wichita area by Thursday morning, but icy roads caused plenty of problems for Wichita drivers on Wednesday.

The storm system could dust the area with a trace of snow overnight, and after a possible morning bout of freezing drizzle, it should leave the area, according to the National Weather Service.

“It’s kind of winding down,” said Chris Jakub, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wichita.

Shortly after the freezing rain began on Wednesday afternoon, multiple crashes were reported in the Wichita area, snarling traffic across town.

About 18 injury crashes, most of which occurred between 2:30 and 5 p.m., were reported as of 8 p.m., according to a Sedgwick County emergency dispatcher.

One man sustained critical injuries in a crash near I-235 and West Street shortly after 3:30 p.m., the dispatcher said.

The man, 31-year-old Robert Kemper Jr., was traveling north on I-235 over West Street when his 1996 Ford Explorer lost control and rolled down an embankment, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol crash log.

He was partially ejected from the vehicle, according to the log.

The Emergency Accident Reporting Plan is in effect for the city of Wichita, which enables people in non-injury crashes to self-report them.

If you are in a crash and no one is injured, exchange information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, vehicle tags and descriptions, and VINs if available.

People can fill out a report at Wichita-area QuikTrip locations or at one of the police substations around town, which are open until 7 p.m. daily.

As of 8 p.m., Sedgwick County emergency dispatchers had received 28 calls reporting non-injury crashes.

Alan King, Wichita’s public works director, said 10 trucks had been putting down salt and sand at select locations as needed during the day.

From 4 p.m. to midnight, 60 trucks will be on duty, treating streets as needed. At midnight, crews will go to 12-hour shifts and continue them as long as necessary.

“We could see them out for a couple of days yet,” King said. “We would urge people to exercise caution. You may think you’re on a wet road and you’re on an icy road.”

The heaviest snow of the storm system was expected in central and north-central Kansas, where National Weather Service forecasters were predicting 1 to 4 inches Wednesday evening.

Some of the worst conditions were reported Wednesday in Hays, Salina, Hutchinson and Plainville.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Multiple crashes reported as a result of icy roads; EARP in effect."