Snow, slick roads on last day of year

(WTNH) - A snowstorm on the final day of 2009 caused slick roads and highways across Connecticut Thursday. One accident closed a section of I-95. 

State police closed I-95 South at Exit 20 around 9:00 a.m. for a jackknifed tractor trailer. Cars were diverted off the exit for about an hour before the road was cleared.

"Troopers were responding to hundreds of accidents. At one time, we couldn't even count them," State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said on News Channel 8 at 5pm.

By 2:30 in the afternoon, radar images showed nearly all of the snow storm had left the state. By evening, the highways and main roads were pretty much clear, but it was the back roads that proved to be tough to navigate.

"The side roads were way worse, much worse, they were very slippery and we actually saw an accident just down the road from here," said Joe Fiman of West Haven.

Despite the snow, News Channel 8 found a steady stream of customers at Best Video in Hamden.

"People have their priorities in order. They need to rent videos, safer to stay home than go out on New Year's Eve," said Hank Paper, owner, Best Video.

The concern tonight is how the roads will be once the temperatures plunge. Of course, Lt. Vance wanted to remind folks not to drink and drive.

"The State Police will be a part of your New Year's plan," Vance said.

Storm Team 8's Matt Scott says two to four inches fell, depending on where you were.