CARLOCK - A driver was killed Saturday when his car crossed the median on Interstate 74 near Carlock and crashed into a semitrailer truck, one of several crashes reported as freezing rain made travel a challenge for the second straight weekend.

And although a spike in accidents dropped off after rainfall turned to a light drizzle by Saturday night, the weather service was predicting another surge of freezing rain in some areas this morning.

Salt trucks remained out on the roads Saturday night, and Central Illinois Regional Airport stayed open throughout, officials said. Ameren wasn't reporting any outages in Central Illinois.

But like Dec. 1, those on Central Illinois roadways felt the brunt of the weather. Conditions appeared to be especially troublesome during the afternoon, when police reported the spike in accidents.

In the crash near Carlock, the car's driver was pronounced dead at 4:32 p.m. at the scene about a mile west of the I-74 intersection with U.S. 150, said McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling. The man's identity was being withheld until it was verified and his next of kin were notified, she said.

The man's eastbound car crossed the median into the westbound lanes and struck the semi, she said.

The semi driver was not injured, she said.

Witnesses at the scene said the car apparently tried to slow down about 3:30 p.m. when it came upon an overturned rental truck and another vehicle off the road in the eastbound lanes. The car slid into the median, rolled over and ended up underneath a westbound flatbed truck carrying two vans.

The car and truck ended up in a field on the north side of the westbound lanes.

Mike and Kathleen Tupker were heading home from Champaign to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when they saw the accident. They said they were about 50 feet behind the truck when the accident occurred, and they waited to talk to police at the scene. Salt trucks were present in the area.

"We were a minute away from being hit," Kathleen Tupker said. "We were just lucky."

'People need to be careful'

Bloomington police were called to three separate accidents shortly after 3 p.m. At least one person was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries, said Bloomington police Sgt. Tim McCoy.

The number of weather-related calls dropped off after that, he said. Still, he cautioned drivers to allow extra travel time and space between cars.

"Things are in pretty good shape. We've got everybody out doing what we can to keep the roads clear," Terry Cearlock of Paris-based Illinois Department of Transportation District 5 said about 4:45 p.m. Saturday. "As always, people need to be careful."

Meanwhile, only one flight was affected at Central Illinois Regional Airport as crews used chemicals to keep the main runway safe, Fran Strebing, CIRA's deputy director of marketing, said about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

The United flight decided not to complete its return leg back to Chicago Saturday night after landing at CIRA, she said. The airport was expecting two other flights to land later Saturday, and they were on schedule, she said.

There were no power outages reported in Central Illinois as of 9 p.m., according to Ameren's Web site.

The National Weather Service in Lincoln reported that freezing rain remains in the Central Illinois forecast at least through Wednesday, with another batch this morning.

An ice storm warning remains in effect until noon today for parts of Central Illinois, including DeWitt and Logan counties. Ice accumulations are expected to reach up to a quarter of an inch in those areas during the morning surge, the service said.

A freezing rain advisory remains in effect in until 6 p.m. today for McLean, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

The forecast for Monday and Tuesday calls for a 60 percent chance of precipitation on each day. Wednesday's forecast only calls for a chance of freezing rain. High temperatures are expected to hover around the 31- to 36-degree mark most of the week.

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Driving tips

With the potential for icy and snowy travel this weekend and the coming week, the American Red Cross of the Heartland and the AAA Chicago Motor Club offer the following winter travel tips:

•Slow down and allow extra time for travel in bad weather

•Monitor weather conditions and adhere to travel advisories

•Begin your trip with a full tank of gas and keep the fuel level above a quarter of a tank

•Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions

•Most of your body heat is lost through your head so bring a hat for everyone, preferably one that covers the ears

•Clear windows, mirrors and lights; keep windshield wipers and defrosters in good working order and fill washer reservoir with fluid.

•Temperatures at or just above 32 degrees cause a thin layer of water over ice, creating extremely slippery conditions.

•Open frozen door locks by carefully heating the end of a key with a match or lighter, or use a squirt of de-icer.

•Don't start car in a closed garage or idle the engine with windows closed.

•Increase your following distance. It takes longer to stop on ice.

•Ice forms first and is most slippery in shaded areas, bridges, overpasses and intersections.

•Steady pressure is better than pumping brakes.

•If you skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Straighten as soon as the car begins to move that way.

•Check your vehicle's tires and ensure they meet the recommended pressure

•SUVs are not immune to winter driving hazards. Slow down and increase distance between vehicles.

•If you're walking, make sure approaching vehicles come to a complete stop before you cross a street or driveway. Dress to be seen, with bright clothing or carry a flashlight. Walk facing traffic.

SOURCES: American Red Cross of the Heartland;; AAA Chicago Motor Club

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Survival kits

The Red Cross recommended keeping a winter storm survival kit in your car. This should include:

•Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

•Flashlight and extra batteries

•Blankets or sleeping bags

•Booster cables

•Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C)

•First aid kit

•Bottled water

•Non-perishable high-energy foods

•Compass and road maps

•Shovel

•Tire repair kit and pump

•Flares

•Extra clothing to keep dry

•Sack of sand or cat litter (for traction)

•Tow rope

•Knife

SOURCE: American Red Cross of the Heartland