Fresh snow brings rash of accidents on Valley roads

Two school buses slid off icy roads on the second snow day of the season and dozens of accidents plagued motorists throughout the Valley, but no one required an ambulance.

Between the critical commuter hours of 6 and 9 a.m., Wednesday, Alaska State Troopers reported nine motor-vehicle accidents that mostly amounted to fender benders, said trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson.

That's better news than the first snow day, Oct. 11, which produced dozens of accidents throughout the Valley -- eight of which took place on the bridges over the Knik River.

One weather-related accident near Big Lake left a 2-year-old girl in critical condition.

Danielle Gurwell, on Wednesday, remained at Providence Alaska Medical Center's pediatric critical unit, five days after icy conditions resulted in an Oct. 12 head-on collision.

Gurwell and five others were injured in a two-vehicle accident at Mile 46 Parks Hwy. According to trooper reports, Wendy G. Spotick, 29, of Big Lake, was traveling south when she lost control of her vehicle on the icy road, sliding into a northbound vehicle driven by Michael D. Benoit, 19, also of Big Lake.

Benoit's passenger, Kathleen Kelsey, 18, was injured and taken by ambulance to Valley Hospital.

Wendy Spotick and her three passengers also were taken to Valley Hospital, including Danielle, Barbie Gurwell, 21, and Waylon Spotick, 5.

All were listed in stable condition except the 2-year-old, who was later taken to Providence.

Motorists are asked to take special precautions when driving bridges and near Valley waters -- cold air above and below causes those roadways to freeze faster than regular roads, Wilkinson said.

New de-icing agents used at Anchorage intersections for the first time last year helped reduce accident numbers there, but cannot be used in the Valley because of different conditions here, said Kurt Devon, the state Department of Transportation's Mat-Su superintendent for maintenance.

Valley DOT crews use a mixture of sodium chloride -- salt -- and sand because that's what works best at melting ice caused by misty waters in places like the Knik bridges, Devon said.

Newer de-icing agents, such as potassium acetate and magnesium chloride, are expensive and do not work here, Devon said. Potassium acetate, at $3 a gallon, has to be applied ahead of time as a straight liquid. Magnesium chloride, which costs $1 a gallon, helps retain sand on the pavement, but doesn't help melt ice the way sand and salt does, Devon said.