Multiple Monday accidents in St. Joseph County

Monday was a rough day for St. Joseph County drivers. 

Authorities responded to multiple accidents all over the area with slipper road conditions.

“There’s been numerous accidents in the entire county today,” Battalion Chief Robert Wood, of Clay Fire said.

The accidents started early. 

Monday morning a crash injured a South Bend Police officer. 

From there, the accidents kept happening. 

“Usually it’s going to be slide offs, motor vehicle crashes,” said Mishawaka Lt. Tim Williams. 

Williams says he and his fellow officers responded to four crashes early in the day.

But the accidents didn’t stay in city limits.

“Everyone knows the bypass is not a very good place to be, especially when the weather is bad,” Williams said.

A trailer turned over in an accident on the bypass, but no major injuries occurred.

“The faster we go, the greater chance we have of being injured,” Williams said. 

Most injuries from Monday’s crashes were minor, traffic flow on the other hand was a big problem.

A stretch of State Road 23 was closed midday, after a car hit a pole, knocking over an electrical wire.

Officials say the day's minor accidents could have been way worse.

“These are less than ideal conditions. The wind chills are well below zero,” Wood said.