MA Traffic: 200+ Crashes, 1 Dead During Ice Storm

BOSTON — State police have responded to well over 200 crashes, including one fatality, since a slow-moving ice storm descended on the region Thursday evening.

Police said the number is "most definitely low because reports are still being written and entered." Troopers were going from one crash to another.

One Friday morning crash killed a woman whose car was struck by a tractor trailer on I-495 in Chelmsford. Elmer Rivas, 48, of Worcester was declared dead at the scene. The crash was creating heavy delays for more than three hours.

Dozens of crashes were reported north and west of Boston, including a dump truck rollover on Route 1 in Ipswich that closed lanes in both direction for some of the cleanup.

"This is a challenging storm with a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow and while MassDOT crews have been patrolling, chemically treating and salting roadways since early this morning, the mix of precipitation combined with low temperatures would mean slippery conditions," State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said it had 1,430 pieces of equipment working on snow and ice operations as of 2:12 p.m.

"Dangerous travel conditions will continue through the day, please avoid travel unless necessary," the agency tweeted.

Speed restrictions were instituted along the Mass. Pike, where tractor-trailers, tandem trucks, and special-permit vehicles were banned due to conditions.

Dozens of school districts canceled school due to travel concerns.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 7 p.m. for much of the state.