Treacherous conditions in Snellville improving, drivers need to move stranded vehicles soon

SNELLVILLE, Ga. - Treacherous icy conditions have left roads in Gwinnett County, including Mink Livsey Road and Hope Road, littered with abandoned vehicles and damage from car crashes, rendering some areas nearly impassable. 

Despite some improvements, icy patches and stranded cars continue to pose hazards.

SEE ALSO: Black ice, icy roads in Atlanta overnight | The latest forecast

Gwinnett County road conditions

What we know:

Treacherous winter weather has left a stretch of Mink Livsey Road in Gwinnett County dangerously icy, with cars stranded along the roadside and uphill sections nearly impassable. The lingering ice has created a major hazard for drivers, with many vehicles abandoned and others struggling to maintain traction.

While covering the conditions on Wednesday, FOX 5 spotted an SUV attempting to ascend an icy hill, only to face difficulties surrounded by other abandoned vehicles.

The worst of the storm hit Tuesday night, leaving intersections like Indian Trail Lilburn Road and Steve Reynolds Boulevard at a standstill. The hilly terrain in the area proved particularly difficult for drivers. Vehicles were stuck, and many slid on the icy roads. Some, like a pickup truck, spun their wheels in vain, trying to gain traction.

Icy roads in Snellville leave drivers stranded

What they're saying:

Tony Jones, a local resident, described his harrowing experience trying to navigate the icy road just minutes from his Snellville home.

"I was coming home from work yesterday around 4:30 p.m., and then the road just started freezing up," Jones said. "My car started sliding, the cars in front of me started sliding. I got to the hill right here, and I slid sideways like everybody else—it just blocked everything."

Fortunately, Jones avoided a collision and was able to retrieve his vehicle after walking the remaining 15 minutes to his house. However, even that short walk was not without incident.

"Walking, and I slipped and fell," he said.

While Jones eventually made it home safely, others remain stranded. Joel Sepulveda, another driver caught in the icy chaos, found himself stuck after stopping to help a couple walking along the road.

"I seen the couple walking. I offered a ride, and I got stuck," Sepulveda recounted. Despite his predicament, he took solace in the kindness of the couple. "He felt bad, opened his door, and I hope develop a friendship."

Sepulveda expressed doubt that his car would be freed anytime soon. "It is what it is," he said, resigned to the situation.

Gwinnett County Police respond to stranded motorists

The other side:

Gwinnett County police were inundated with calls during the storm. Sgt. Collin Flynn described the situation as overwhelming.

"The Gwinnett County Police Department was inundated with calls yesterday from drivers stuck on the roadway, either with traffic accidents or who had just stalled out in the roadway because of icy conditions," Flynn said.

In just 24 hours, police received more than 1,000 weather-related calls. Flynn added, "Our officers dealt with over 4,000 traffic accidents, and we also ended up having eight of our patrol cars sustain damage from the severe weather conditions."

Desperate drivers flooded the police department’s phone lines as conditions worsened. Some drivers were advised to push their vehicles to the side of the road and retrieve them once conditions improved.

Flynn explained, "We eventually had to tell some people, if you’re able to push your car to the side of the road, go ahead and do so and then come back when the conditions improved this morning."

How are the roads in Gwinnett County?

What's next:

By Wednesday morning, as snow and ice began to melt, most drivers were able to retrieve their vehicles. Police warned that any remaining cars left as road hazards could potentially be towed. "If a car is a road hazard, it could potentially be towed," Flynn said.

As of midday Wednesday, road conditions were improving across the county, with only a few vehicles still spotted on the roadside. Police reminded residents that abandoned vehicles must be moved or they risk being towed, and drivers should call the police to locate their vehicle if it is removed.

Efforts to clear the ice-covered roads are ongoing, but officials are urging residents to avoid travel in affected areas until conditions improve.

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