A small amount of snow, mixed with colder temperatures, caused auto accidents and headaches for drivers throughout the area Thursday evening.
Seven accidents between 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday evening were reported to the Northumberland County 911 Center, sending at least one person to the hospital for treatment.
The rash of accidents started just after 7 p.m., when Coal Tonwship police responded to a crash on Route 61 near the ramp from Route 901 in Coal Township, where Bonnie Townsend, 55, of Mount Carmel, was traveling south on Route 61. According to police, Townsend lost control of the 2004 Ford Sport Trac she was driving and hit the guide rail in the center of the highway. No one was injured.
Coal Township Fire Department and fire police also responded.
Less than two hours later, police responded to a second accident caused by icy conditions at the same intersection, where Shauna Ruch, 21, of Shamokin, was traveling north on Route 61 when the 2000 Chevy Blazer she was driving slid out of control on the icy road, causing the SUV to hit the guide rail in the center of the highway. She was not injured. Shamokin police Patrolman Raymond Siko also responded.
At approximately 8 p.m. on Trevorton Road, Coal Township, Amber Adams, 30, of Herndon, slid on icy roads and lost control of the Dodge truck she was driving and went over the embankment, damaging the cab of the truck and causing a minor fire, which was put out by firefighters, according to Coal Township Police Patrolman Edward Purcell.
Adams was transported for treatment at a local hospital, according to reports on the scene.
While emergency personnel were cleaning up that scene, another crash occurred at Brewery Curve on Route 61 in Coal Township.
Courtney Dilliplane, 18, of Shamokin, was traveling south when, due to icy conditions, she lost control of the Jeep Cherokee she was driving, crossed the median and struck a guide rail on the northbound side of the highway. Dilliplane was not injured. Shamokin police Patrolman Nathan Rhodes, Coal Township Fire Department and fire police responded to the accident.
Other non-injury auto accidents also reported by the 911 Center's WebCAD Internet site Thursday night included crashes on West Avenue and North Vine Street, Mount Carmel; the intersection of Locust Gap highway and State Route 2042, in Locust Summit, and on North Front Street in Mount Carmel.
More information on these accidents was not available at press time.