Baby ejected in 1 of 100-plus wrecks since Thursday

Authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident on Andrews Highway near Godfrey Street. An unknown number of occupants were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with minor injuries after their car struck an SUV traveling westbound on Andrews Highway that lost control and slid into oncoming traffic, according to an officer at the scene. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram less Authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident on Andrews Highway near Godfrey Street. An unknown number of occupants were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with minor injuries after their car struck an ... more Photo: JAMES DURBIN Photo: JAMES DURBIN Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Baby ejected in 1 of 100-plus wrecks since Thursday 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A young driver stood shivering in the frozen grass, waiting for the wrecker service to haul away an SUV that rolled over onto its windshield Friday evening on Andrews Highway.

Moments before, he was traveling westbound near Golf Course Road Church of Christ when he hit a slick patch and slid into oncoming traffic. A white car struck him, causing the SUV to roll, according to an officer at the scene.

The driver — who was cited for traveling at an unsafe speed — wasn’t hurt, but two adults and three children in the white car were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital as a precaution at about 6:30 p.m.

Two hours later — along the same stretch of Andrews Highway — another wreck sent a 3-month-old baby to the hospital with unknown injuries after she was ejected from a convertible afer a spin-out, according to Sara Higgins, the city’s public information officer.

Two adults were traveling westbound, with one of them holding the baby in their lap, when the car hit a patch of ice, spun out and collided with a telephone pole, Higgins said.

The baby was alert and conscious and transported along with the parents, she said. Criminal charges are pending.

Roads remained icy and slick during the Permian Basin’s second arctic blast in as many weeks, which caused more than 130 wrecks within city limits on Thursday and Friday, according to Higgins.

Authorities responded to about 40 wrecks by 9:30 p.m. Friday. That’s a far cry from Thursday, when icy weather contributed to more than 90 wrecks, Higgins said. No fatalities were reported either day.

The Midland Police Department started closing various sections and on-ramps of Loop 250 after 5 p.m. Thursday, Higgins said. The Texas Department of Transportation did not authorize the closure.

“Last night was a judgment call made for public safety on behalf of the police,” she said.

The loop started to reopen at about 4 p.m. Friday after TxDOT treated the roadway to melt the ice, Higgins said.

“Roads were clearing up by (Friday) afternoon. We wanted to make sure we could get people back on the loop when it was safe,” she said.

Authorities also shut down most of Midland’s railroad crossings, which were locked in place because of icy conditions, and notified Union Pacific, Higgins said. By 12:15 p.m. Friday, the crossings had been treated and reopened.

The city will continue to work with emergency management personnel and law enforcement agencies this weekend to monitor roadways and access dangers, Higgins said.

Temperatures dipped into the 20s on Friday, with a high of 28 and low of 23, according to the National Weather Service. Ironically, last year’s temperatures on Dec. 6 set a record high at 81 degrees.

Expect mostly cloudy and cold conditions today with a high of 20, low of 13 and chance of drizzle, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature won’t get above freezing until Sunday, when the forecast calls for a high of 53 and low of 23.

Local organizations cancel, postpone weekend events

— Addy’s Hope Tour of Homes for Christmas was canceled due to icy road conditions.

— The Commemorative Air Force canceled part of today’s Toys for Tots Fly-In and Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony, originally scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The museum will be open, weather permitting, to accept toy donations, and there will also be free admission with a toy donation. We will also hold an indoor Pearl Harbor ceremony and Gallery Talk about the events of late 1941 that led up to the attack,” said Steve Buss, CAF American Airpower Heritage Museum director.

— Betenbough Homes has rescheduled today’s Christmas Open House, "Santaland with a Texas Twist.” The event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Legends Park Model Home, 5603 Champions Drive. The public is welcome to attend and take free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

— UTPB’s freshman and sophomore art exhibition opening reception originally set for Friday evening has been rescheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. next Friday at UTPB.

— The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin canceled today’s second annual Dean’s Symposium, according to Hilary Majors, communications and marketing manager. The symposium will be rescheduled.

— UTPB closed all buildings Friday except the library, which will be open from noon to 5 p.m. today, according to UTPB spokeswoman Travis Woodward.

— Midland International Airport is open; however, airlines have canceled a few flights. Airport personnel suggest that passengers call the airline or check their flight status websites before driving to the airport.

— The Museum of the Southwest postponed today’s Ugly Sweater Run until Dec. 14. Registration and check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the run will start at 11 a.m.