Snow and Ice Continue to Cause Traffic Problems [UPDATE]

State Police now say a tractor trailer went into the ditch in Sidney to avoid hitting a pickup truck. Crews closed the interstate in order to pull the paper truck from the side of the road. Another issue today involves ice and snow flying off passing vehicles that's damaging others traveling behind them.

Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says the large rolls of paper had to be removed from the tractor trailer wreck in the northbound lane of I-95 before it could be up-righted and towed from the scene. At last report, the northbound lanes of the interstate were closed so the wreck could be removed. They're expected to reopen by 4 p.m.

The driver, Mohammed Syed, age 47 of Florida, was headed for Presque Isle when he had to swerve to avoid hitting a pickup truck that had braked in front of him. The pickup was being operated by Spencer Thornton of Skowhegan. State Trooper Jesse Duda, who witnessed the accident, said the semi tapped the pickup's bumper before spinning around and coming to rest on its side in the ditch. Duda helped kick out the windshield of the tractor trailer so Syed could escape. Syed said he had some minor bumps and bruises but refused medical treatment. No violations were cited.

McCausland said, in a separate press release this afternoon, that flying snow and ice coming off other vehicles are wreaking havoc. State Police say at least 20 passenger vehicles have been damaged along the interstate. No one has been injured but the damage has included broken windshields and cracked grills. Motorists are advised to clean ALL the snow and ice from their vehicles before heading out.