SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.—A woman who authorities believe was living in her car was rescued after a snow plow inadvertently bumped into her vehicle, which was buried in snow.
South Lake Tahoe, California, city spokesman Chris Fiore highlighted the Feb. 17 incident in Feb. 26 news release, urging drivers to take safety precautions in winter weather. He said the city has had problems with illegally parked vehicles, which slows snow removal.
Fiore said the snowplow driver bumped into the back of the car, which popped the vehicle’s trunk open. After that happened, workers from the plow truck started shoveling around the vehicle to prepare to tow it when the woman put her hand on the window from the inside.
.@cityofslt snowplow driver finds woman alive inside snow-covered car https://t.co/nTZhO6quJl
— Amanda Jackson (@AmandaJ_TX) February 28, 2019
“She wasn’t trying to get out,” he said Wednesday. “She wasn’t making any noise.”
The name of the woman was not released because police did not cite her for any violations, Fiore said. She declined medical attention and left and the vehicle was towed.
The 48-year-old woman said she’d been in the car for about five hours and seemed unconcerned about what could have happened had the snowplow not hit her vehicle, he said. The car’s battery was dead and she couldn’t roll down the windows.
This is exactly why we’ve been telling everyone to make sure they’re parked in the right places when snow removal is happening. It’s dangerous for everyone! https://t.co/6mjEtrsOO6
— South Lake Tahoe (@cityofslt) February 28, 2019
“The truth is that this could have turned out very differently,” he said.
Public Works Director, Ray Jarvis explained that the snow removal process is dangerous for “everyone involved.”
South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue crews also responded to a broken gas line that caught fire Tuesday morning in the Tahoe Verde neighborhood. It happened after icicles crashed down onto the gas meter and severed the line.
“This is why we keep urging cleanup,” said Fiore in the release, “When it’s clear out it’s tempting to want to forget about the snow and get out of the house. Spending a few minutes clearing snow from your roof, cleaning icicles, can save you major headaches down the road.”
1st alarm response for a broken gas line that caught fire last night in Tahoe Verde Mobile Home Park. Crews were eventually able to shut off gas. The scene was turned over to SW Gas. pic.twitter.com/oyAz0nkXZe
— SLT Fire Rescue (@SLakeFireRescue) February 26, 2019
Her entire car was covered in snow and she was inside, according to city of South Lake Tahoe spokesperson. https://t.co/JEfq9mQhks
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 27, 2019
The authorities in the region have not advised travel as the conditions get worsed. “Drivers should anticipate delays and increased travel time throughout the week,” they said.
The authorities gave the following resources in the release:
To check weather conditions in real time, click here.
To check road conditions in real-time, click here.
For snow safe suggestions, click here.
Illegally parked cars, broken gas lines cause problems as more snow is expected. This winter storm could dump feet of snow in South Lake Tahoe over the next two days, and the city is asking people to be smart and safe as it moves through. https://t.co/qH4CIVu71b pic.twitter.com/uz1GsPTMyN
— South Lake Tahoe (@cityofslt) February 26, 2019
Safety Alert: Remove the snow and get your gas meter/dryer vents cleared to avoid natural gas and carbon monoxide from backing up into your home. Remind your family and friends. #mnwx #mnhomes pic.twitter.com/pk9jQuCQ5a
— Arctic Mechanical (@ArcticManMN) February 26, 2019
NTD News reporter Venus Upadhayaya contributed to this report.
