crash

Look Out Below! Man’s Leg Gets Stuck In Manhole

By ARLnow.com

You may want to watch where you walk after reading this.

In Crystal City this afternoon, a man partially fell into a small utility manhole on the edge of the sidewalk after the plastic manhole cover collapsed.

It happened near the intersection of Crystal Drive and 18th Street.

One of the man’s legs fell about knee-high into the three-foot deep hole. He suffered scratches and some public embarrassment, but was otherwise unhurt.

Police and a public works crew arrived on scene, took some photos, and coned off the broken manhole cover.

The manhole belongs to a private utility company, according to the county Department of Environmental Services. It’s unclear at this time exactly which utility it belongs to.

BREAKING NEWS — County Traffic Engineer Injured in Accident

By ARLnow.com

Update at 1:15 p.m. — Columbia Pike has been reopened, although one eastbound lane remains closed.

A county traffic engineer was seriously injured in an accident on Columbia Pike around 10:30 this morning.

The engineer was in a cherry picker, working on the traffic lights at the intersection of the Pike and South Wakefield Street, when a moving van clipped a part of his truck, according to Arlington police spokesperson Det. Crystal Nosal.

The man fell hard to the street below, witnesses told ARLnow.com.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to a local hospital by county paramedics. He suffered two broken legs but is expected to be okay, police said.

Columbia Pike is currently blocked off between South Four Mile Run Drive and South George Mason Drive as police conduct an investigation.

The moving van and its driver remained on the scene. Police were seen marking the street around the van and talking to the driver.

No word yet on whether any charges will be filed.

Crash on I-395 HOV Lane Tying Up Traffic

By ARLnow.com

Backups on I-395 caused by 4/1/10 crash

A crash in the HOV lanes of I-395 near the exit for Shirlington is tying up rush hour traffic. Virginia State Police and Arlington paramedics are on the scene of the two-car collision. One minor injury has been reported.

Crash On GW Pkwy Causes Problems for Commuters

By ARLnow.com

A truck ran off the road, flew over a stone wall and landed in a ditch on the northbound George Washington Parkway during tonight’s evening commute. The northbound lanes of the Parkway were blocked by emergency vehicles during the rescue operation. Traffic was diverted onto Spout Run, causing significant backups.

Westbound I-66 Blocked Due to Flipped Van

By ARLnow.com

Update at 6:25 p.m. — All lanes are back open.

A van flipped on its side at the exit from westbound I-66 to Route 267 (Dulles Toll Road). All lines of westbound I-66 are blocked, and traffic is being diverted onto Route 267.

Traffic on I-66 is currently backed up all the way to Glebe Road in Arlington.

Local realtor Laura Rubinchuk first alerted us to the wreck  just after 5:00 p.m. via Twitter.

Serious Accident Shuts Down Northbound GW Parkway

By ARLnow.com

The northbound George Washington Parkway has been shut down at Spout Run due to a vehicle that skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.

One southbound lane is being blocked by a fire truck. Northbound traffic is being diverted onto Spout Run.

The closures are causing major traffic problems, prompting Arlington County to issue an email alert.

The prolonged closure, with accident investigators on the scene, is usually a sign that at least one person has died or is in grave condition.

State Police Release Snowmageddon Stats, Super Bowl Warning

By ARLnow.com

Statewide, Virginia State Police responded to calls for 1,713 traffic accidents and 1,699 stranded vehicle. According to the Washington Post:

The state police’s Fairfax Division alone responded to 681 calls for service, including 435 disabled vehicles and 121 traffic crashes.

Meanwhile, the State Police are warning people driving to bars and parties for the Super Bowl to be careful on the roads.

“Drivers need to weigh the risks when deciding if attending a Super Bowl party is really worth a crash or getting stuck,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Our greatest concern is what road conditions will be like following the game as temperatures drop and wet, slushy roadways turn icy.”

“No matter what road and weather conditions may be like Sunday, the most important decision individuals must make is to not drink and drive,” said Colonel Flaherty. “Driving impaired with slick road conditions is not just dangerous, but deadly for everyone.”

Some Super Bowls do’s and don’ts from the VSP after the jump.

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