Traffic backed up for miles Monday night on the southbound lanes of the Jones Falls Expressway after a sport utility vehicle went off the highway, slid down a 10-foot high snowy embankment and overturned near light rail tracks, according to police and fire officials.
The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. about a half mile south of Northern Parkway. Two people were injured and rushed to Sinai Hospital suffering what fire officials described as non-life threatening injuries. By 8 p.m., all lanes were reopened and traffic was flowing both directions.
The accident also caused delays for light rail; trains in both directions were stopped for about 10 minutes while rescue crews extricated the victims. Train service resumed normal operations by 7:40 p.m., according to David Clark, a spokesman for the Mass Transit Administration.
The road was described as clear of ice, but the breakdown lane and embankment were covered in snow. Police did not know how the accident occurred, but a Fire Department spokesman said it apparently involved one vehicle that went over a Jersey barrier.
Firefighters from Baltimore City and Lutherville in Baltimore County responded and had to use special tools to get into the vehicle and free the driver and passenger. The SUV was described as heavily damaged and lying on its side.
Police and fire officials had earlier said a second accident involving an overturned vehicle had occurred on the JFX near Cold Spring Lane. Just one accident occurred, the officials said later.