FRANKLIN
As powdery snow – and later, freezing rain – began to fall upon Western Tidewater on Monday afternoon, state and local law enforcement agencies responded to a heightened number of calls for service.

In a 12-hour period from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., Virginia State Police troopers were dispatched to 469 calls, including 212 traffic crashes within Division V. This area includes Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Eastern Shore, Williamsburg, Franklin and Emporia.

The majority of the crashes involved vehicles that lost control due to the slick roadways. Among those, a state trooper’s car was struck while the officer was investigating a traffic crash. He has been treated for minor injuries.

Only one accident troopers responded to state-wide involved a fatality, according to Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Anaya.

The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office responded to 18 accidents within the last 24 hours, and thankfully, had no fatalities to report, according to Major Gene Drewery. One accident did result in an unspecified serious injury, however.

From 1 p.m. on Monday through 11 a.m. Tuesday, Deputy Paul Nash said that the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office handled 13 traffic incidents and 11 disabled vehicles. All things considered, Nash said that it was a quiet night within their jurisdiction.

Franklin Police Captain Tim Whitt said over the past 24 hours there have been nine accidents, with relatively minor injuries. Damage to the vehicles was also relatively minor, he said.

Managing Editor Cain Madden contributed to this report.