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Photo shows a 2021 pileup in Fort Worth, Texas, not a crash in Eminence, Indiana
If Your Time is short
- This photo was taken in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2021 after freezing rain coated the roads there and caused a deadly crash. It wasn’t taken in Eminence, Indiana, as a recent Facebook post claimed.
With wintry weather striking many regions of the United States, photos are emerging from across the country showing snow plows, icy roads, and big drifts of snow.
But one old picture is being mischaracterized as showing the aftermath of a crash in Eminence, Indiana.
"This is currently at state road 42 and state road 142 in downtown Eminence, Indiana," a Feb. 2 post says, alongside a photo of a treacherous-looking pileup of cars and trucks. "Black ice! Drive safe folks! Right by the Citizens Bank and Dairyland. Prayers to all involved."
But this photo was taken last year, and about 900 miles southwest of Eminence.
Featured Fact-check
This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Photographer Lawrence Jenkins took it on Feb. 11, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas, where 133 vehicles crashed after freezing rain coated the roads there, sending dozens of people to the hospital and leaving at least six dead, the Dallas Morning News reported at the time.
North Texas and Central Indiana are both experiencing wintry weather, but this photo doesn’t show it.
We rate this miscaptioned post False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Feb. 2, 2022
Reporter Times, How do school districts notify parents of weather delays, closings, Feb. 2, 2022
The New York Times, Winter Storm Tears Across Three U.S. Time Zones, Feb. 2, 2022
The Dallas Morning News, Sleet expected to turn to snow Thursday as North Texas rounds the midway point of winter storm, Feb. 3, 2022
The Dallas Morning News, At least 6 dead in 133-car pileup in Fort Worth after freezing rain coats roads, Feb. 11, 2021
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Photo shows a 2021 pileup in Fort Worth, Texas, not a crash in Eminence, Indiana
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