A Virginia state trooper was hit by a van while investigating a crash on icy Interstate 495 in Fairfax County.
Officials say it is not considered weather-related because the van swerved to avoid a car coming into its lane. The trooper had minor injuries.
Police said in a news release that troopers' shifts were extended Wednesday night to keep up with a surge of calls on icy roads. Police say the Fairfax division responded to 123 crashes and 110 disabled vehicles.
Another trooper was investigating a crash on Interstate 95 in Prince William County early Thursday when police say his vehicle was struck by an out of control vehicle, but the trooper wasn't injured.
“It is our commitment that we will not see a repeat of what happened last night,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova said Thursday.
Bulova noted the Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for treating and clearing roads – not the county – and VDOT may have been caught off guard Wednesday while preparing for the possible blizzard coming Friday.
“I think VDOT, frankly, was so focused on getting ready for Friday and the weekend … when a very small snow event happened they were not prepared for it,” she said.
