In what is described as being "eerily similar" to a fatal traffic accident that occurred more than a year ago, a 17-year-old Hawk Point teenager is back home recovering after a vehicle he was driving landed on top of him while standing roadside following an accident on Interstate 70 during last week's snowstorm. It was a welcome ending for emergency responders who feared the worse. Wright City Assistant Fire Chief Ron MacKnight said firefighters used high-pressure airbags to lift the 1994 Chevrolet Blazer off of Chadlier E. Scronce and free him from the cable barriers. The I-70 accident was somewhat similar to a 12-car pileup that occurred December 2008 east of Warrenton when a driver got out of his car to exchange insurance information with another motorist only to be struck by a sliding 18-wheeler. "It was eerily similar, extremely similar," MacKnight said. "You go into that mode and remember every detail. I thought here we go again. Fortunately this ended up in a good way." Scronce was headed westbound just west of the Highway F overpass when he slid into the median around 11:35 a.m. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, an 18-wheeler was traveling in the right lane when it apparently merged into the passing lane only to strike a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The impact caused the SUV to slide off the left side of the highway where it then struck Scronce's vehicle. The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, Jessica L. Richardson, 22, of Overland Park, Kan., was injured. The driver of the 18-wheeler fled the scene and was never located. The accident forced emergency crews to shut down I-70 for an extended period of time. Scronce, believed to be suffering from life-threatening injuries, was transported to St. Joseph Hospital West and later airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was released that evening from the hospital. The Patrol's report said he sustained serious injuries. Scronce's father said his son received numerous stitches on his face and legs. He said he immediately called the emergency responders to thank them the following day, but declined to go into further detail on the accident. MacKnight said he had talked to Scronce prior to the follow-up accident en route to another accident that involved an overturned vehicle about a mile away. Scronce's father said his son exited his vehicle to see if it was driveable. "I've seen several of these over the last four to five years and they never come out good," MacKnight said. Last week's first major winter storm caused numerous slide-offs and minor accidents on I-70 and other county roadways. The storm dumped at least 4 inches of snow and canceled classes for two straight days for area schools. "Parts of the highway were ice," MacKnight said. "It was fine until you hit your brakes." MacKnight asked motorists, if possible, to remain in their vehicles until emergency crews arrive. Depending on the situation, Sheriff Kevin Harrison advised motorists to determine whether they are safe while stranded in similar instances. "The last thing we need is people standing on the shoulder," he said. "If people have to exit, get as far off the road as possible." Harrison also stressed that approaching motorists remain attentive to the roadway when traveling past an accident scene. MacKnight added that emergency crews watched several approaching vehicles nearly slide into them while attending accidents during last week's snow storm. "People need to slow down and take their time," he said. The only other injury accident reported by the Highway Patrol occurred at 6:36 p.m. on Jan. 7 when the driver lost control on the ice on the eastbound lanes of I-70 just east of the Highway 47 overpass. The driver, identified as Whitney M. Holden, 23, of Kansas City, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to St. Joseph Hospital West. The 2004 Ford Escape traveled off the right side of the roadway after it struck a concrete barrier. The winter storm also caused havoc for area city crews. Rob Hamlin, public works director for Warrenton, said his department repaired a water main break late into the evening Jan. 7 at the intersection of Highway 47 and Buche Avenue. Crews learned of the break earlier that morning. Hamlin also said crews spent Monday fixing a small leak on Walton Street. Broken water mains in Wright City also were reported at West Avenue and Cherry Street, according to city officials.