Snowy conditions, 7 crashes shut down stretch of freeway near Sunnyside
Feb 22, 2022, 8:46 AM | Updated: 3:23 pm
An abandoned vehicle along SR 241 north of Sunnyside. (Washington State Patrol)
(Washington State Patrol)
A state highway in Central Washington is cleared of crashed and abandoned cars and trucks and is back open as of Tuesday afternoon.
SR 241 just north of Sunnyside had been closed to all traffic since Monday evening, after snowy conditions led to seven separate crashes, while many drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles to get to safety.
The closure began at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Washington State Patrol said early Tuesday that SR 241 — situated six miles north of Sunnyside roughly halfway between Yakima and Richland — likely wouldn’t be reopened until sometime between 10 and 11 a.m., as crews continued efforts to recover vehicles and ensure the roadway is safe.
Road closure: SR 241, 6 miles north of Sunnyside, has been closed since 4:30 pm last night due to low visibility and 7 crashes. Troopers in the area expect it to be closed for another 2-3 hours this morning in order to remove vehicles. pic.twitter.com/do3HQadkTW
— Trooper C. Thorson (@wspd3pio) February 22, 2022
As snowy weather and cold temperatures have persisted, WSP is urging drivers to reduce speeds, leave extra following distance, and avoid going out in dangerous conditions.
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