20 CAR COLLISION

SPRAIN BROOK PARKWAY, N.Y.

Ralph E Smith:  December 13, 2010 "Reporting live from the eye of the black ice snow storm on Sprain Brook Parkway in New York.  I was not just reporting on the accident, but was in the middle of the twisted metal cars helping a lady move her car and praying I would not get hit."

On December 13 2010 at 1030pm, the first snow of the season caused a major 20 car wreck on the Sprain Brook Parkway next to the Underhill St exit.

This reporter- driver Ralph E. Smith saw how dangerous the road was and immediately slowed down to 2 miles per hour and then pulled off to the right of road by the Underhill Exit.

I immediately put my 4X4 in off road mode.
I got out of my vehicle and proceeded to secure the road and provide safety for the 10 vehicle drivers I saw stuck in their vehicles.

I put out two flares on the ice slick road and told people to move their cars toward the grass off the road because vehicles are coming down the hill two fast. I fell down two times while lighting the flares.

I told a African American lady driving a new White Lexus SUV she should move her car towards the grass off the shoulder.

Minutes after giving that advice a large gray pickup truck lost control and hit the back of her vehicle.

As I went to her vehicle to provide assistance and emotional support another vehicle came slamming into a new black audi. This time the car missed my leg by about 12 inches.

It is now 12:15am and its still very dangerous out here. There is a lot of twisted metal, but thank God no deaths to report.

12:20am The NYS Troopers are now on the accident scene. The New York State Troopers did a great professional job helping the accident victims .  Removing the 11 damaged vehicles and providing help in the cold of the night. 

A local police officer responding to the scene was also hurt when his patrol vehicle went of the road towards the left as he avoided hitting cars stuck on the road.  The Patrol Officer suffered hand and arm injuries.

The real question out here tonight is why wasn't the road cleared of snow. Does budget cuts in New York State have anything to do with the dangerous roads?

Reporting from the middle of the accident thankful I'm not hurt and my vehicle is in one piece; this is Ralph E. Smith. Tow trucks removed all the vehicles and the cars blocking this reporter's vehicle.  Additional details are also reported on 1010AM Wins Radio.

All Photos by Ralph E. Smith:  20 car accident collision on Sprain Brook Parkway, NY

This vehicle hit the rear of a white lexus and the side of a highway sign.