By John Howell Sr.

Slick roads on Sunday afternoon contributed to a least one fatality in Panola County.

Panola Deputy Sheriff Fredrick Sanders said that Sara “Jan” Vorus, 72, 2548 Plum Point Road, Pope, died after her vehicle was involved in a head-on collision on Eureka Road. Vorus and her daughter, Susan Vorus of the same address, were apparently returning toward their home when they met an oncoming vehicle near the Eureka Road intersection with Fogg Road at the site of a structure known as the “Red Barn.”

The oncoming car skidded out of control as it was coming down the hill and struck Vorus’ car, Sanders said. The roadway ascending the hill had “iced over so fast,” Sanders said.

Michael Bryan Ragon, 3953 Shiloh Road, Courtland, was the driver of the second car, according to the deputy. Five paramedics were on the scene treating the injured when he arrived, Sanders said.

The emergency room at Tri-Lakes Medical Center reported  increased activity Sunday afternoon as the winter storm moved into Panola County.

“We’ve been very, very busy,” hospital spokesperson Ann Overall said Monday. “We’ve had multiple weather-related accidents.”

The ER staff has treated numerous patients who received injuries in car accidents on snow-covered streets, and others who had injuries from slipping and falling, she said.

With the exception of the fatality from the wreck Sunday afternoon, most of the injuries have been relatively minor, she said.

“We have taken measures here at the hospital, cleaning the parking lot and making it safer for people who need to come here,” she explained.

The nursing staff is working overtime and some staff members are staying over to assure smooth operation of the hospital, she said.