Fast-falling temperatures freezing up some Tristate highways led to a rash of accidents Sunday, including one in Northern Kentucky that left a 23-year-old man clinging to life.

        The man, whose name was not released, was in critical condition Sunday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South after his blue SUV slid off northbound Interstate 75, crashed through a guardrail and flipped onto its roof near the Buttermilk Pike exit in Crescent Springs.

        The wreck shut down northbound 75 for about an hour, said Fort Mitchell Police Spc. Tim Berwanger. At least five other wrecks were reported in Northern Kentucky between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

        The driver, whose name was not released, was listed in critical condition Sunday at St. Elizabeth Hospital South.

        “When I came into work about 9 a.m., the roads were pretty nasty, and about 9:20 a.m. we got the first call,” said Patrolman Brad Degenhardt with the Lakeside Park/Crestview Hills Police Department. “I could only get my cruiser up to 35 or 40 miles an hour. It was pretty wild.”

        Temperatures dipped into the low 20s by 9 a.m., falling 25 degrees overnight.

        “We got some snow showers and reduced visibility briefly to a half-mile,” said Brian Coniglio, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “It was just enough to coat the roads with snow. The snow that did fall stuck pretty quickly.”

        The ramp to I-75 north to Turfway Road completely iced over. There were three accidents on Interstate 275, all occurring on or near the bridge from Kenton to Campbell counties, police dispatchers said. No one was injured, but one accident left a semi-tractor trailer jackknifed in the median.

        “After we were out here a while, until about 10:30 or so, I don't know if it warmed up or the traffic got heavier, but it started melting all the ice,” Patrolman Degenhardt said.

        A car trying to avoid a second car spinning on eastbound I-275 slammed into the back of a semi-trailer, sending the truck barreling into the median, where it jackknifed and halted just before lurching into traffic in the westbound lanes, Patrolman Degenhardt said.

        The other two wrecks occurred on westbound I-275: a Ford Ranger lost control and spun off the road; a man passing a semi-tractor trailer spun out, slamming into the driver's side of another car.

        In Cincinnati, a yellow truck and a white truck were involved in a minor accident shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Harrison Avenue near Strimple Road, but no injuries were reported.

        Wintry temperatures continue today with highs in the mid-20s, about 15 degrees colder than normal for this time of year.

        Highs in the mid-40s are expected Tuesday. The mercury may climb to the upper 50s by Friday.

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