Crashes complicate Labor Day travel

DAYTON (WDTN) - As the holiday weekend winds down, thousands of people are driving through the Miami Valley headed home.

On Monday, the increase in traffic caused several traffic problems.

A semi straddled the barrier wall in Interstate 75 at North Main Street after it's driver lost control.

"It caused a lot of traffic problems," said Capt. Cher Clark with the Dayton Fire Department. "No one was injured and the semi wasn't carrying any type of hazardous load, but had some fuel leaking".

Emergency workers rushed to stop that fuel leak, but estimate 50 to 100 gallons spilled. First responders blamed the crash on the rain and slick conditions.

It was the same story a few miles away on the entrance ramp from 49 to 70 in Clay Township.


"We get frequent rollover crashes when it's sunny and 70," said Chief Ronald Fletcher with the Brookville Fire Department. "Anytime we have changes in the weather, especially rain after a prolonged of dryness. We seem to see a lot of crashes here whether they are slide-offs or outright rollovers".

Chief Ronald Fletcher said the driver of a white SUV lost control and flipped at least one time.

The driver and passenger were both trapped for a short time, before being taken to Miami Valley Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Both crashes came at the end of the holiday weekend, one of the most traveled times of the year.
    
AAA estimated there would be 33 million Americans hitting the roads this Labor Day and troopers said they have done everything they can to keep them all safe.

"We're making a commitment to provide a safer commute throughout the area and i think our numbers show that," said Sgt. Jeff Kramer with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

As of Monday afternoon, there had been 47 non-injury accidents in the Miami Valley. Eleven of the crashes resulted in injuries. There were no fatal crashes over the holiday weekend. However, Sgt. Kramer said three of the accidents were alcohol related.

Greene County was not included and will not release it's crash numbers until Tuesday.